Chicago's Yellow Light Intervals Generating More Fines
Ever notice how the traffic lights in Chicago switch from yellow to red quicker than in other cities? That’s because the city changed the formula.
FiveThirtyEight reports the formula — yellow change time = 1 + (1.47 * Approach Speed) / (2 * Deceleration Rate) — was altered to increase the chances of a driver running a red, an act that would then be caught by the city’s red-light cameras, thus leading to a fine for the driver.
The formula used in Chicago is the one prescribed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, which sets the deceleration rate at 11.2 feet/second over the standard formula’s 10 feet/second. The city also calculates yellow intervals by the posted speed limit, instead of the Federal Highway Association’s 85th percentile speed of real drivers, with the option to add 5 mph to the speed-limit yellow interval, as well.
The yellow interval — and its tie to the red-light cameras — have been a factor in Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s fight for another term in office, which has since entered the runoff phase after his campaign failed to gain an outright majority Tuesday. Emanuel’s support for the cameras runs in opposition of the city’s residents, 66 percent of whom believe the technology isn’t helping traffic safety in the least.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
More by Cameron Aubernon
Comments
Join the conversation
Almost every where there are traffic cameras , this short yellow light problem crops up because the cameras are provided under contract on a per ticker portion of fee sharing of the Dollars gained . Obviously this is a scam and posting it here and showing up at your Town Hall , writing letters etc. really does work to get it changed . Good on you for spreading the word . -Nate
One advancement that is happening that I really like is the countdown timers on the pedestrian signals replacing mere flashing hands. Where I live (not Chicago) they really help drivers, from a long distance away, understand how close the green light is to turning yellow. Helps reduce almost to zero the "do I stay or do I go" episodes. Of course, that presumably reduces the revenue-generation probabilities of the enforcing jurisdiction, so I hope the municipalities where I live don't see this article.
It's hard to claim "safety" if you're also reducing the light times. Welcome to "policing for profit." Near me, the city of Milbrae dishes out fines north of $650. For my part, I'm currently fighting a ticket for parking in a handicapped parking spot that did not have a sign! (Fortunately, its a mere $317.)
Whoa... A story about crooked politics in the "New Orleans of the north." Where did I put my shocked face?