March 29, 2024

Iowa city officials review data for traffic camera locations

WATERLOO (AP) — Officials from northeast Iowa are reviewing traffic crash data to decide where to install automated traffic cameras.

Waterloo Police Chief Dan Trelka worked with the city’s traffic operations department to identify almost 10 possible intersections for red light cameras.

Trelka said the locations were chosen because of the number of fatalities, the number of injuries and property damage at the intersections.

“What I like about this list from a strategic enforcement perspective is that they are throughout the geographical areas of the city,” Trelka added. “One of my goals with this program is to attempt to have a calming effect on assertive and aggressive driving throughout the city.”

Waterloo Traffic Engineer Mohammad Elahi used data about crashes from the city’s approximately 200 intersections to make recommendations.

“I gave each severity a weight based on what we use for traffic safety analysis,” Elahi said. “Major injury is given a higher weight than a minor injury.

Trelka said he will work with engineers from Massachusetts-based red light camera company Gatso USA to determine if cameras can improve safety at any of the intersections.

Trelka said it could take up to three months for the cameras to be operational, but a movable speed enforcement trailer and handheld cameras could be ready within a month.

Police will review the images cameras capture before mailing a citation to the vehicle’s registered owner. The owner may give the ticket to the actual driver or appeal to the city board.

The state Department of Transportation will need to approve camera placement for cameras at state highway intersections. Cities have to submit data and information to justify adding automated traffic enforcement cameras on state highways, said Steve Gent, IDOT director of traffic and safety.