Audit of Chicago Department of Transportation’s Red Light Camera Program

Executive Summary

The purpose of the audit was to determine if red-light camera installations were made based on the Chicago Department of Transportation’s stated primary criterion of reducing angle crashes to increase safety.

In addition, the audit was designed to answer nine questions posed to the IGO by members of the City Council in February 2013:

1. Has the City installed, and is the City installing, red-light cameras in locations with the highest number of angle crashes?
2. Has the City used, and is the City using accurate data in determining the location for red light cameras?
3. CDOT has established the Red-Light Prioritization Model to calculate annual Total Crash Rate and Angle Crash Rate at each intersection. How often is this Model reviewed, and who is responsible for verifying its accuracy?
4. How often does the City reassess if red-light cameras should be relocated?
5. Is CDOT following its own prioritization steps for red-light camera relocations?
6. Are field evaluations for potential red-light camera installations being done in accordance with the appropriate traffic engineering standards?
7. Which City departments, consultants, and/or employees of Redflex are involved in the decision to install or relocate red-light cameras, and how?
8. What data does the City collect regarding the amount of revenue generated by each red light camera, and what influence does that revenue data have on the decision to maintain or relocate cameras?
9. What is the total cost of the camera system, including installation and annual maintenance?