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Providence Begins Digital Photo Safety Program

Rhode Island city implements red light camera system.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Providence, R.I., will provide the first digital automated red light photo safety program in the Northeastern United States. ACS will provide the program for up to 20 intersections selected by the city. Services and equipment provided in the program include digital cameras, citation processing, pay-by- phone, pay-by-Web, online hearing requests, integrated voice response and 24-hour customer service via the Internet.

"My administration is continually looking for ways to provide the citizens of Providence with the services they need while stretching tax dollars," said Providence Mayor David N. Cicillini in announcing the program. "ACS unquestionably offered the city the best digital camera technology, a proven ticket information management system, and the most advanced customer service technology."

The city will place red light cameras at intersections determined to be high risk through careful examination and study. Under the supervision of the city, the company will install and maintain the camera systems, perform violation processing and customer service operations. ACS will operate under the business rules and supervision set forth by the Providence Police Department. All citations will be reviewed by police personnel before being issued. Traffic citation fees are expected to support the cost of the program.

In 2002, there were 178,000 injuries and 920 deaths related to red-light running crashes, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Photo safety programs have dramatically reduced red light violations, crashes, deaths and injuries.
Miriam Jones is a former chief copy editor of Government Technology, Governing, Public CIO and Emergency Management magazines.