Case Study

Glasgow Red Light Cameras

Tools Involved

Red Light Monitoring.

Site Description

In 1991 the Scottish Office commissioned an investigation into the effectiveness of the Strathclyde Police red light camera initiative. The initiative involved the installation of six red light cameras at junctions across Glasgow and the investigation ran for free years (1991-1994). The investigation monitored both junctions with and without enforcement cameras.

Glasgow now has 22 red light cameras installed at junctions across the City.

Site Problem

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city with a population of over 600,000 people. As with most large cities it suffers regular occurrences of traffic accidents. An analysis of injury road accident data between 1989-1991 showed that red light running was the primary cause of 17% of accidents at junctions in Glasgow (Scottish Office Central Research Unit).

Scheme Description

The enforcement system detects red light infringements using inductive loops placed within the road. The loops are placed one metre apart with the first being a short distance beyond the stop line. The system detects the amount of time a vehicle spends beyond the stop line in the red phase. Two pictures are taken, stored on wet film and then later removed to be studied by a Police Officer. The vehicle's licence plate details are located using the Police National Computer and a fixed penalty is issued.

Scheme Objectives

The objective of red light cameras at signal-controlled junctions is to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers' non-compliance of red signals.

Improvements

It is anticipated that the system will:

reduce the number of traffic accidents;
reduce resultant congestion caused by accidents;
improve air-quality; and
offer a revenue stream for the Local Authority.

Integrated Systems

The system could be used to monitor and store details of infringements during a pre-defined period. This historical data could then be used to determine the primary cause of accidents at junctions.

Costs

Six sites costing £452,000 including operation (3 years & includes 2 more sites by 1996). NPV= £1million.

(source: Scottish Office Central Research Unit)

Benefits

Benefits are shown in the table below.

Actual benefits reported
Impact Assessment	Environment	No benefits expected or reported.
	Accessibility	No benefits expected or reported.
	Safety	62% reduction in injury accidents in three years. 64% less personal injury accidents, 67% less fatal and serious accidents and 8% lower speeds at camera locations. 14% less fatal and serious injury accidents across Glasgow.
	Efficiency	Estimated benefit: cost ratio of 3.2.
	Integration	No benefits expected or reported.
Technical Performance		No technical problems reported.
User Acceptance		No information available.

Glasgow Red Light Cameras benefits table

(source: Accidents at Signal Controlled Junctions in Glasgow, Development Department Research Programme, Research Findings No. 23 (1996)

No attempt has been made to validate the results reported. Users of the guidance are encouraged to assess the robustness of the results presented and the likely transferability of the case study to their own local environment.

More Information

The Scottish Office Central Research Unit at http://www.scotland.gov.uk.
The Strathclyde Police Red Light Initiative: Accident Monitor, Scottish Office Central Research Unit, 1992