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Speed Cameras In Chicago Earn $50M Less Than Expected

Posted by timothy on from the short-term-memory dept.

countach44 writes that (in the words of the below-linked article) "Chicagoans are costing the city tens of millions of dollars — through good behavior." The City of Chicago recently installed speed cameras near parks and schools as part of the "Children's Safety Zone Program," claiming a desire to decrease traffic-related incidents in those area. The city originally budgeted (with the help of the company providing the system) to have $90M worth of income from the cameras — of which only $40M is now expected. Furthermore, the city has not presented data on whether or not those areas have become safer.

8 of 398 comments (clear)

  1. This is good by 0123456 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It proves the cameras are working, and people are speeding less. What's the problem? In an ideal world, the cameras would never go off, and never issue a ticket.

    1. Re:This is good by mikelieman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The point of the cameras was revenue, not traffic safety. They've failed at their intended goal, and I don't see evidence for attributing it to traffic safety. The only person who benefited is the vendor.

      And that's before the court challenges. Doesn't "Due Process" ensure that the accused can say, "That's faked, Photoshop. The network and servers are hacked, and PROVE THEY ARE SECURE."

      Ever seen a municipal vendor who could certify under penalty of perjury complete compliance with all applicable law, regulation and policy?

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    2. Re:This is good by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It proves the cameras are working, and people are speeding less.

      No, it does not prove that. Another possible explanation is that people were never speeding much in the first place. They may have overestimated the potential revenue.

  2. It is a common thing right now in other cities by kaladorn · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The Ottawa Public Library is having a significant budgetary shortfall due to a reduction in late fees.

    The sad thing is that these entities have integrated punitive fines into their standard funding expectations and financial plans.

    I think that sort of thinking needs to be scorned. It is a poor way to manage an institution. You don't want your model to be 'well, we will depend on and be incentivized to encourage people to break the rules we claim we want them to follow'. It's a rather ethically laughable situation.

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  3. Re:Easy to solve - calibrate them to overestimate by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Yes:
    http://www.realclearscience.co...
    http://www.nbc-2.com/story/122...
    http://www.youngcons.com/texas...

    All 3 of those were beaten with MATH as in, irrefutable proof that the camera was wrong and setup to intentionally give tickets to people that did not break the law. (unless the software itself is hopelessly flawed)
    biatch

  4. Re:Easy to solve - calibrate them to overestimate by sinij · · Score: 5, Insightful

    >>>You're not even supposed to run the amber, never mind the red.

    Incorrect. When you see light turning yellow, you are suppose to stop when it is safe to do so, otherwise proceed through the intersection. If you are a municipality concerned about safety - increase timer on yellow light.

    Instead, exact opposite happens - municipality concerned with a budget shortfalls decreases yellow light timer to generate additional red light ticket revenue. As a result, many people slam on the brakes increasing instances of rear-end collisions.

  5. Voting Machines by offrdbandit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Clearly these aren't manufactured by the same company that makes Chicago's voting machines.

  6. Jesus Christ, READ TFA! by BUL2294 · · Score: 5, Informative
    I live in Chicago... Read TFA--not red light cams, but SPEED CAMERAS!

    First off, because of state law, the speed cameras can only issue a ticket for going 6+ over the limit. So, 25 in a 20 school zone, or 35 in a 30 "near a park" zone is OK. Second, the 6-10 MPH over the limit is a $35 ticket. BFD. Only when you do 11+ over the limit (e.g. 41 in a 30), that's when it shoots up to $100. Finally, speed cameras are NOT allowed on Lake Shore Drive, Lower Wacker, and (obviously) Interstates.

    On top of that, because of state law, the city had to paint "SAFETY ... ZONE" on the street in each lane, along with putting up extra speed limit signs with "PHOTO ENFORCED", by every camera installation, on that street and on all intersecting streets...

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