Red Light Cameras: Surprising New Safety Results

An extensive study conducted over a long term period in Calgary Alberta found surprising results in regards to the safety performance of Red Light Camera (RLC) installations. Previous studies have shown positive safety results in the form of a reduction in right angle crashes; they also have identified that rear end crashes increase. A recent study completed in Calgary Alberta indicates that those findings may change when RLC safety results are examined over a longer term. Using multiple years of data for a relatively large number of locations, the study found that right angle crashes were reduced, confirming earlier findings. Surprisingly, the study also found potential trends towards reductions in rear end crashes - a new and important finding. These new results are valuable when considering the safety impacts of RLC's and need careful consideration by the traffic engineering community.