Orland Park Traffic Cameras: Are They Watching?

The Village of Orland Park, Illinois, has implemented several measures to enhance traffic safety and law enforcement. One notable initiative is the installation of red-light cameras at major intersections, such as Harlem Ave and 151st Street, and 159th Street and 94th Ave. These cameras are part of a Photo Enforcement Safety Program aimed at reducing red-light collisions and associated injuries. The cameras capture images and videos of vehicles running red lights, and owners of these vehicles are subject to fines. Additionally, the Orland Park Police Department encourages residents and businesses to register their personal security camera information voluntarily to assist in crime prevention and solving. The Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee (PTAC) also plays a crucial role in addressing parking and traffic concerns in the village. Orland Park's efforts reflect a commitment to improving road safety and enforcing traffic laws through the use of technology and community engagement.

Red-light cameras in Orland Park, IL

Red-light cameras are located at major intersections in Orland Park, IL, to enhance road safety and reduce collisions. The Village Board approved the installation of red-light cameras at three intersections: Harlem Ave and 151st Street, Harlem Ave and 159th Street, and 159th Street and 94th Ave. These intersections were identified as high-crash areas by the Orland Park Police Department, which conducted a study to improve road safety.

The red-light camera system captures two images of a vehicle running a red light and also records a video of the violation. An Orland Park Police Officer reviews the images and confirms the violation before issuing a notice. The fine for a red-light violation is a minimum of $100.

The red-light camera program in Orland Park has faced some criticism and debate. While the Village Board approved the installation of a third camera in 2020, there has been legislation at the state level proposing to prohibit the use of red-light cameras in Illinois. Despite this potential ban, Orland Park officials renewed their contract with the camera provider, Sensys Gatso USA, Inc., for up to three years.

The effectiveness of red-light cameras in enhancing public safety has been a subject of discussion. While some studies suggest that red-light cameras do not improve safety and may cause rear-end crashes, Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy cited a Northwestern University Transportation Center study that showed "significant safety benefits" in reducing "angle crashes." The decision to install and maintain red-light cameras in Orland Park, IL, is based on the belief that they will reduce collisions and injuries associated with red-light violations.

Intersection collision information

The Village of Orland Park, Illinois, has implemented an Automated Traffic Law Enforcement System to enhance road safety at some of its most dangerous intersections. The system includes red-light cameras installed at specific locations to capture violations and enforce traffic laws.

The Village of Orland Park is particularly concerned about three major intersections that have a high frequency of vehicle crashes:

• Harlem Ave and 151st Street: This intersection has been identified as a site of frequent collisions, prompting the installation of a red-light camera. Unfortunately, a separate incident involved a car crashing into a nearby business, resulting in injuries.
• Harlem Ave and 159th Street: This intersection, along with the previous one on Harlem Ave, has been equipped with a red-light camera to reduce the number of crashes. Despite these efforts, crashes continue to occur in the area, including multi-vehicle collisions.
• 159th Street and 94th Ave: This intersection has been identified as the site of the most traffic crashes in the village. Plans are in place to install a red-light camera here, as part of the Automated Traffic Law Enforcement System, to reduce collision rates and enhance safety.

In addition to these three major intersections, other areas in Orland Park have experienced road incidents and closures due to crashes, icy roads, and flooding. These include closures on 159th Street, Southwest Highway, and John Humphrey Drive, as well as incidents on Metra SouthWest Service and at 151st and Ravinia Avenue.

The Village of Orland Park is actively working to improve road safety and reduce collisions through a combination of red-light cameras, road improvements, and drainage projects to address flooding issues.

The Village Board's approval of a Photo Enforcement Program

The Village Board has approved a Photo Enforcement Program, otherwise known as a Red Light Enforcement program, in an effort to enhance safety at some of Orland Park's most accident-prone intersections. The Orland Park Police Department identified three major intersections that consistently experienced more crashes than others: Harlem Ave and 151st Street, Harlem Ave and 159th Street, and 159th Street and 94th Ave. The statistical analysis presented to the Village Board supported the need for a Photo Enforcement Safety Program to improve road safety.

The approved Photo Enforcement Program will capture evidence of red-light violations. Red-light violations occur when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. It is important to note that motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes are not considered violators. The red-light camera is triggered by motion, capturing images and video footage of the offending vehicle. An Orland Park Police Officer reviews the images and confirms the violation before issuing a notice.

Vehicle owners photographed running red lights will be subject to a minimum fine of $100. They can obtain additional information and view their photographs and videos online or by contacting the Violation Processing Center. This program is in accordance with Illinois law, which mandates the posting of statistical analysis to assess the safety impact of such enforcement systems.

The Village Board believes that the implementation of the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program will effectively reduce the number of red-light-related collisions and injuries at these intersections. The program aims to encourage safer driving habits, such as slowing down and preparing to stop when a light turns yellow, yielding to pedestrians, and making complete stops before turning right on a red light.

The Village Board's decision is supported by studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which indicate that Red Light Camera Programs can decrease red-light violations by up to 60%. With approximately 1,000 fatalities and 176,000 injuries annually in the United States due to red-light runners, the Village Board's approval of the Photo Enforcement Program is a proactive step towards enhancing road safety in Orland Park, IL.

The Parking and Traffic Advisory Committee (PTAC)

PTAC was established to enhance road safety at some of Orland Park's most dangerous intersections. The Orland Park Police Department initiated a study to determine which intersections had the most vehicle crashes. It was found that three major intersections—Harlem Ave and 151st Street, Harlem Ave and 159th Street, and 159th Street and 94th Ave—continuously had more crashes than others. This information was presented to the Village Board, which approved the installation of a Photo Enforcement Safety Program, also known as Red Light Enforcement.

Red-light cameras have been the subject of some controversy, with some studies showing that they do not make streets safer and are simply a "revenue generator". However, the Village of Orland Park has stated that the implementation of this program will reduce the number of red-light collisions and injuries associated with red-light violation crashes.

The red-light camera is activated when motion is detected, indicating a vehicle is entering the intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. The camera captures two images of the offending vehicle and a video of the violation. An Orland Park Police Officer reviews the images and confirms the violation before a violation notice is issued. Owners of vehicles photographed running red lights will receive a violation notice in the mail and are subject to a minimum fine of $100.

PTAC's work also includes reviewing and recommending changes to parking and traffic policies, as well as serving as a hearing tribunal for those appealing traffic citations. The committee advises on matters related to circulation, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, parking enforcement, and traffic and circulation. PTAC's initiatives are focused on enhancing the safety and efficiency of Orland Park's transportation system.

The Police Department's role in traffic safety

The Police Department plays a critical role in traffic safety in Orland Park, Illinois. One of their primary responsibilities is to monitor roadways and enforce traffic laws, such as speeding, running red lights, and drunk driving. To enhance traffic safety at dangerous intersections, the Orland Park Police Department initiated a study to identify intersections with a high number of vehicle crashes. Based on the study's findings, the Village Board approved the installation of a Photo Enforcement Program, also known as Red Light Enforcement, at three major intersections: Harlem Ave and 151st Street, Harlem Ave and 159th Street, and 159th Street and 94th Ave.

The red-light cameras are activated when a vehicle enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red, capturing images and videos of the violation. The Orland Park Police Department reviews and confirms the violations before issuing a violation notice, which carries a minimum fine of $100. The presence of these cameras is expected to reduce the number of red-light collisions and associated injuries.

In addition to enforcing traffic laws, the Police Department in Orland Park, IL, also focuses on crime prevention and crime-solving initiatives. They have implemented the Orland Park Neighborhood Watch - Security Camera Program, encouraging residents and business owners to voluntarily register their personal security camera information. This database streamlines police investigations by quickly identifying cameras that may have captured evidence of a crime, saving valuable time and resources.

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