The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.
Late last week, San Francisco turned on the first 12 of its 33 speed cameras as part of an effort to limit traffic deaths in the city, which reached a peak of 41 last year.
According to an article for KQED by Matthew Green and Dan Brekke, “Installed in high-injury corridors where speeding is common, the cameras will automatically snap photos of the rear license plates of motorists traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit.”
The cameras will issue no-fee warnings for the first 60 days. Citations of up to $500 will be issued starting in May. “San Francisco is the first city in California to install automated speed-enforcement cameras, long an aspiration of street safety advocates frustrated by the city’s lack of progress in reaching its long-term goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.”
Over 300 U.S. cities use automated traffic enforcement cameras. A recent California law allows officials to install cameras in San Francisco, Oakland, San José, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Glendale.
FULL STORY: SF Speed Cameras, First in the State, Turn on Today. Here’s Where They Are
States Have Mixed Feelings on Speed Cameras
While some states and cities are embracing automated traffic enforcement as a tool for improving road safety, others are banning the technology over concerns that the programs are designed for profit rather than public benefit.
Data Shows Chicago Speed Cameras Reduce Speeding, Crashes
Countering claims made by the Chicago Tribune that automated enforcement doesn’t improve safety, Streetsblog Chicago lays out the data showing how traffic safety fared in camera zones.
Philadelphia to Add New Speed Cameras
Speeding violations on streets with automated traffic enforcement are down by 95 percent, according to city officials.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service