Presentation Transcript

1. Automated Enforcement at Rail Crossings in Grand Prairie, Texas Sgt. Eric Hansen Grand Prairie Police Department Traffic Section
2. Grand Prairie Quick Facts Located centrally between Dallas and Fort Worth (South of DFW Airport) 81 square miles Population 170,000 Major Attractions Lone Star Park (Horse Racing) Joe Pool Lake
3. Grand Prairie Police Traffic Section 1 Sergeant 14 Officers Motorcycle Unit Accident Investigations DWI Unit
4. Automated Enforcement Red Light Camera Enforcement 10 approaches at 8 intersections. Crossing Enforcement First location installed June 2007 5 approaches at 3 crossings along Union Pacific mainline Digital photographs and video of each violation
5. Union Pacific RR Corridor 4-mile corridor thru center of city Double mainline tracks Max Train Speed of 60 mph 11 Existing at-grade crossings, all with gates and lights. 3 crossings proposed to be closed. 2 new crossings proposed to be installed as part of SH 161 construction.
6. W 23rd Street Crossing Automated Enforcement NB and SB
7. W 19th Street Crossing Automated Enforcement NB and SB
8. W 19th Street Crossing Automated Enforcement NB (one-way street)
9. Current Texas LawTransportation Code - Chapter 707 Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement System Local ordinance required Engineering study required Advance signs required Civil penalty not to exceed $75 Vehicle owner presumed responsible Collection split with contractor prohibited Collected amount above costs split 50/50 between regional trauma account and local traffic safety fund Annual accident history report must be submitted to TxDOT
10. Current Texas LawTransportation Code - Chapter 707 Rail Crossing Enforcement Not mentioned
11. Grand Prairie Ordinance City Ordinance required for automated traffic signal enforcement also addresses automated railroad crossing enforcement. Civil penalty not to exceed $75 (originally $150 for railroad crossing violations). Fine doubles for 3rd or subsequent violation. Violator may request administrative hearing. Additional $25 if found liable. If found liable by hearing officer, may appeal to municipal court. Additional $50 if found liable.
12. ABC 123 ABC123 12345 JOHN DOE 1234 MAIN STREET
13. Notice of Violation Date Time Name Address Vehicle Info Penalty Amount Ordinance Citation Violation Location Respond by Date Registered Owner Officer Signature JOHN DOE 1234 Main Street ABC123 JOHN DOE 1234 Main Street ABC 123
14. Cost to City Red Light Cameras No up-front cost to City Fixed monthly fee per intersection approach paid to Contractor covers cost of engineering, materials installation, maintenance, and “ticket” processing. Rail Crossing Cameras No cost ever to City. City and Contractor split collections as follows: ,
15. Cameras and Flash Unit Camera Housing Flasher Unit
16. Advance Signing
17. Actual ViolationVideos
18. Positive News Coverage
19. Violations HistoryFirst 5 Months at E 9th Crossing 356 281 276 184 140 Violation rates at E 9th crossing have since increased but have always been below first month of operation.
20. Accident History Prior to 2007, Grand Prairie had the highest grade crossing collision rate in the State. 5 fatalities at rail crossings in the 4 years prior to automated enforcement. No accidents at 3 crossings with automated enforcement since installation.
21. Contact Info: Sgt. Eric Hansen Traffic Section Grand Prairie Police Dept. (972) 237-8906 ehansen@gptx.org