Spokane is one of the only cities in the country where the revenue from red light camera infractions ("Photo Red") is allocated to traffic calming projects in your neighborhoods. Yesterday, the City of Spokane announced yesterday an extensive list of projects that will be funded by proceeds from the program. A grand total of twenty-one projects have been selected for construction, out of 74 applications, totaling around $485,000. The projects are scheduled to be built in 2013.

In the spring of 2012, neighborhoods were asked to identify and submit applications for projects intended to encourage motorists to adhere to speed limits to improve safety for pedestrian and bicyclists and improve the walking environment for residents. Eligible projects included, temporary and permanent speed indicator signage, curb bump-outs, traffic circles, crosswalk striping, pedestrian crossing signage, bike lanes, sharrows, street trees, sequence lights, and sidewalks.

The traffic-calming subcommittee made up of a Council member from each Council District, selected the final projects. The Spokane City Council will approve the final list and budget. In addition to red light money, some projects are proposed to be matched with Community Development Block Grants funding.

The City’s red light camera program was launched in November 2008. Currently, there are 15 cameras monitoring 10 intersections throughout the City. One camera can cover up to four lanes of travel in one direction. The program is a safety program designed to reduce red-light violations and collisions in intersections. The funding is expected to be available on an annual basis.

The traffic-calming project list for 2013, broken down by District, includes:

District 1:

Purchase of two small mobile speed feedback signs that will be placed in various areas throughout

District 1. Chief Garry Park Neighborhood: Installation of a crosswalk at Regal St. and Mission Ave.; and Cook St. and Mission Ave. crossing to Chief Garry Park.

East Central Neighborhood: Implementation of University District/Sprague Corridor Study traffic calming elements on E. Sprague Ave.

District 2:

East Central Neighborhood: Permanent speed feedback sign on Perry St. near its intersection with 12th Ave.

Cliff/Cannon Neighborhood: Curb bump-outs on Maple St. at Eighth and Ninth avenues.

Manito/Cannon Hill Neighborhood: Crosswalk striping and signage at 25th Ave. and Bernard St.

Rockwood Neighborhood: Install solar pedestrian beacons at 18th Ave. and Grand Blvd.

Comstock Neighborhood: Install sidewalks from 210 to 226 W. 37th Ave.

Lincoln Heights: Install sidewalks on both sides of Freya St. from 36th to 37th avenues.

Joint Manito/Cannon Hill and Comstock Neighborhoods: Install pedestrian crossing at Manito Blvd. and 29th Ave., type to be determined from neighborhood input.

District 3:

Five Mile Neighborhood: Connect separated sidewalks on Horizon Ave. from west of F St. to E St. Install crosswalk and signage at Cascade Way/Lincoln Rd. and Five Mile Rd.

Emerson Garfield Neighborhood: Traffic circles on Montgomery Ave. at Cedar, Jefferson, and Madison streets; and two bump-outs on Montgomery Ave. with its intersection with Adams St. Additionally, sidewalks will be installed on Adams St. from Mansfield to Montgomery avenues.

North Hill Neighborhood: Install crosswalk at Garland Ave. and Normandie St.

West Central Neighborhood: Install crosswalk with flashing beacon at Elm St. and Maxwell Ave.

Bemiss Neighborhood: Permanent speed sign on Cook St. near Shaw Middle School and Northeast Community Center.

Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood: Install a traffic circle at Lyons Ave. and Cincinnati St.

Logan Neighborhood: Conduct traffic study on E. Sinto Ave. in conjunction with Gonzaga University.

Click here to see projects already underway.

Another reason why Photo Red matters: Recorded evidence is crucial to Spokane’s traffic safety, helping the city move forward with design plans and create more efficiency in the enforcement of traffic regulations. Plus, these safety benefits come without having to dedicate extra police resources to enhance traffic enforcement. The ultimate goal is to obey traffic signals and signs and avoid the crashes, injuries, and death caused by red light running.

Below are two cases where a bike was involved: Note the right turn on red in the below clip and the cyclist travelling at a slow speed in the upper right.

 

 

Below is a near-collision. If you look on the far left side, again, you’ll see the bicycle is travelling at a slow speed.

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