The backlash against red-light cameras provide a cautionary tale for those who want to cut costs and raise revenue through technology.
Commuters don't seem to balk at highway tolls when they're collected electronically through systems such as E-ZPass. So why do they freak out about electronic red light camera citations? Wall Street Journal columnist Eric Felten says "maybe we don't want to make every sort of transaction friction-free."
Felten advises municipalities who sell red-light cameras as a way to cut law enforcement costs to change their spin. He writes "the cost-obliterating efficiency of the technology is the very thing that gets us riled. The old hurdles and hassles of manually issuing tickets...was generally accepted as fair. Now that equilibrium has been destroyed, and people find it alarming."
Felten's "inefficiency manifesto" can be a seen as a challenge to planners to come up with "low-tech" ways to collect fines and fees. Otherwise, citizens will turn to the courts, and in some cases win, as they did in Florida, where a judge ruled this week that state law does not allow cities to use red-light cameras.

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.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.

Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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