The New York City Council voted unanimously in February to approve legislation to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install pedestrian countdown clocks at all intersections that feature red light cameras.
“The DOT has already determined that the intersections where they have installed red light enforcement cameras are among the most dangerous in the city, based on crash data,” said Councilman Steven Matteo (R-Mid-Island), who authored the bill. “We also know pedestrian countdown clocks make crossing streets safer by helping to clear intersections, thus significantly lowering the number of collisions.”
Pedestrian countdown clocks display the number of seconds remaining before a traffic light changes. Currently, countdown clocks are installed at about half of the city’s 14,000+ signalized intersections and two-thirds of the city’s 150 intersections with red light camera enforcement, according to DOT data. The law, which will take effect this Spring, will require the DOT to install countdown clocks at the remaining 50 intersections with red light camera enforcement, unless the installation is unfeasible, creates an additional hazard or does not meet certain city guidelines. Future intersections where red light cameras are installed will need the clocks as well.
The legislation comes at a time when New York State is considering expanding its red light camera program. Matteo is currently drafting additional legislation to require the installation of countdown clocks at all signalized intersections citywide.
Source: SI Live
