Study Details

Study Title: An Analysis of Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras in Charlotte, NC

Authors: Cunningham et al.

Publication Date:JAN, 2008

Abstract: This research project was aimed to summarize the effects of a mobile automated speed enforcement system in Charlotte, NC. A summary of the program is given. Limited focus groups were conducted to characterize resident and professional attitudes, opinions, and beliefs regarding such a speed program. Overall, opinions were positive. The system, comprised of three mobile units, was implemented along fourteen corridors. Two separate analyses were conducted on data collected from January 2000 to December 2005. This paper updates findings from a previous study done for the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program. The first, and primary analysis, was a before-after analysis of collisions. This study used Hauer's comparison group methodology. Three different collision data sets were analyzed: total collisions, data accounting for regression-to-the-mean, and data for five heavily enforced corridors. Based on our analysis, the impact of regression-to-the-mean appears to be negligible. The results indicate that the camera program likely reduced collisions in corridors with automated enforcement. The second analysis was of speed data, to observe if compliance with posted speed limits was enhanced. Mean speeds, median speeds, 85th percentile speeds, and percentages of drivers more than 10 mph over the speed limit were analyzed. The analyses found speed reductions due to the camera program. Based on our findings, we recommend that the City of Charlotte continue the automated speed enforcement program. Other agencies considering speed camera programs can benefit from the knowledge gained in Charlotte.

Study Citation: Cunningham, C., J. Hummer, and J. Moon. "An Analysis of Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras in Charlotte, NC." TRB 87th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM. Washington, D.C., (2008).


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Advanced technology and ITS

Countermeasure: Implement mobile automated speed enforcement system

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.9193 StarsAllAllNot Specified

Category:Work zone

Countermeasure: Implement mobile automated speed enforcement system (highly enforced sites)

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.86313.73 StarsAllAllNot Specified