Traffic Commission Supports Red Light Pilot Program
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission Thursday discussed their support for Warsaw to participate in a red light running photo enforcement pilot program.
Commission member Ann Sweet, who was unable to attend Thursday's meeting, submitted a letter to the commission asking if the board would support Warsaw being considered for the program.Sweet stated in the letter she worked with legislators and lobbyists last month on a resolution to form a study group to determine what cities would prefer red light cameras in their communities.
Part of the resolution and study group would be to work with Indiana Department of Transportation to choose a site for the photo enforcement pilot program.
Results of the pilot program would be used to determine the need for photo enforcement enabling legislation to be voted on during the 2009 legislative session.
Sweet serves as a spokesperson for the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running.
Sweet became involved in the red light running issue after her 21-year-old daughter Shawnee was killed by a red light runner on Oct. 27, 1997, while crossing U.S. 30. The driver was in a semi hauling a loaded flatbed trailer.
More than 110 counties and town in 20 states across the country currently have a red light running program.
The program currently is used in Chicago and Ohio, among other cities and states, according to the national campaign's Web site.
Under the program, photo enforcement cameras placed at intersections take pictures at the intersection of license plates of vehicles as they run through red lights. The pictures of the vehicle's license plates are then sent to the violator with the appropriate fine.
"A pilot program is key to understanding red light running in Warsaw, and I feel the program is worth looking into," City Planner Jeremy Skinner said.
The commission made a motion to let Sweet know they would support Warsaw as a pilot test site for the red light running photo enforcement pilot program.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins also said during the meeting he would support Warsaw being considered for the pilot program.
"I do not have a problem with Warsaw serving as a pilot site if Indiana Department of Transportation says it is OK," Wiggins said.
Secretary Steve Foster said he and Wiggins have testified to legislators in the past and suggested the pilot program include multiple intersections along U.S. 30.
Skinner updated the commission on the Parker Street/Argonne Road project.
He said the property appraisal process has been approved by INDOT and the appraisal will need to be conducted.
The project is projected to take 1-1/2 years to complete, Skinner said.
The project will include replacing existing asphalt and curb at the Parker/Argonne streets intersection.
A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Argonne Road.
Skinner said the project also will include constructing new sidewalks on the north side of Jefferson and Argonne streets.
Wiggins said he and Skinner will meet with Michiana Council On Government to discuss construction engineering services for the project.
The commission also discussed on-street parking on Logan Street during major sporting events.
Shuter said the grass where people have parked has been soft and wet, and wreckers have had to pull vehicles out of the grass that were stuck.
Shuter suggested the commission pursue an ordinance prohibiting all on-street parking on Logan Street.
The commission tabled the discussion to look at parking on Logan Street.
Commissioner Greg Schroeder said Warsaw Community School Corp. has discussed in its long-range planning creating more parking at the school to accommodate parking for events at the school.
Commissioners are George Clemens, Bill Rhoades, Dan Robinson, Schroeder, Kip Shuter, Sweet and Joe Thallemer.
