Traffic Cameras: Wtop's Eyes On The Road, Now Offline

Traffic cameras are an important tool for monitoring road conditions and managing traffic flow. WTOP Traffic provides traffic flow information, estimated drive times, and incident reports. While many major commuter routes in Virginia and across the D.C. region are equipped with traffic monitoring cameras, most roads maintained by the National Park Service, including the George Washington Parkway, Clara Barton Parkway, Suitland Parkway, and Rock Creek Parkway, lack them. However, there have been plans to install real-time traffic cameras on the George Washington Parkway to improve traffic monitoring and safety. Additionally, counties like Arlington have their own live traffic cameras, allowing them to monitor roadways and manage traffic efficiently. Speed cameras, such as those in D.C., also play a role in deterring speeding and modifying driver behavior.

Real-time traffic cameras to be installed on George Washington Parkway

Real-time traffic cameras are set to be installed on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, colloquially the G.W. Parkway, a 25-mile-long limited-access parkway that runs along the south bank of the Potomac River from Mount Vernon, Virginia, to McLean, Virginia. The parkway, designated an All-American Road, is maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) and carries about 70,000 drivers daily, serving 26 million annually.

The upcoming rehabilitation of the George Washington Parkway will pave the way for real-time traffic cameras to monitor conditions along the busy commuter route. While many major commuter routes in Virginia and across the D.C. region are equipped with traffic monitoring cameras, most roads maintained by the NPS, including the George Washington Parkway, lack them.

The rehabilitation project, which broke ground in July 2022, will lay the infrastructure to support traffic cameras along a 7-mile stretch of the roadway from the Capital Beltway to Spout Run. Charles Cuvelier, G.W. Parkway superintendent, stated that the project will place infrastructure to house utility cables required for traffic cameras, and that the park service is open to the installation of cameras along the roadways of the scenic park.

The rehabilitation project also includes replacing the asphalt pavement and roadway drainage system, redesigning portions of the Va. Route 123 interchange, repairing stormwater management systems, and lengthening entrance and exit lanes at some interchanges. The $161 million contract for the project was awarded by the NPS and the Federal Highway Administration in December 2020, marking one of the largest infrastructure investments funded by the 2020 Great American Outdoor Act.

Arlington County manages over 190 traffic cameras

Arlington County, Virginia, is located in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, directly across from Washington, D.C. It is the smallest self-governing county in the U.S., with a land area of 26 square miles. The county is densely populated, with 238,643 residents as of the 2020 census, and is home to several notable locations, including the Pentagon, Reagan National Airport, and Arlington National Cemetery.

To improve traffic management and safety, Arlington County has invested in traffic monitoring solutions, including the implementation of traffic cameras. These cameras are strategically placed along major roads and intersections to monitor traffic conditions and help with incident detection and response. The real-time data captured by these cameras assists transportation authorities in making informed decisions and enables them to quickly deploy resources to accident sites, improving emergency response times.

In addition to traffic cameras, Arlington County has also developed a robust public transportation system. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) provides metro and bus services throughout the county, connecting residents to various destinations. Arlington also operates its own bus system, Arlington Transit (ART), which supplements WMATA services with in-county routes.

The county has made significant efforts to encourage the use of public transportation and reduce car dependency. This includes promoting mixed-use development near transit hubs and implementing pedestrian and transit-oriented infrastructure. As a result, Arlington has been recognized for its smart growth achievements and has received accolades for its innovative transportation solutions.

DC's busiest speed camera issued 33,682 tickets in 3 months

DC's busiest speed camera, located on the northbound Potomac Freeway at 25th Street Northwest, issued 33,682 tickets from October to December 2023. This particular camera is relatively new, having only started issuing citations in March 2023. The automated traffic enforcement program in DC, with nearly 200 cameras installed, has brought in over $60 million in revenue since October 2023.

The implementation of these cameras is part of a broader traffic enforcement strategy aimed at improving road safety. According to Sharon Kershbaum, the acting director of the DC Department of Transportation, the goal of these speed cameras is safety, and they have been effective in deterring speeding and changing driver behaviour. The number of citations issued by the camera on the northbound Potomac Freeway at 25th Street Northwest is a testament to its impact.

While some may view these cameras as revenue generators, Kershbaum emphasised that their primary motivation is safety. The revenue collected is considered a positive externality rather than the main objective. The success of these cameras can be seen in the significant reduction in speeding in certain areas, with Kershbaum citing a specific example of a camera on Wheeler Road in Southeast DC that resulted in a 96% decrease in speeding over time.

The installation of these cameras is a well-thought-out process. The DC Department of Transportation conducts a series of reviews, taking into account various factors such as bike and pedestrian infrastructure, crash and speed data, and input from residents and officials. This comprehensive approach ensures that the cameras are placed in areas where they can effectively address speeding concerns and improve road safety.

Speed cameras work, says Sharon Kershbaum, DDOT's acting director

Speed cameras work, says Sharon Kershbaum, the acting director of Washington, D.C.'s Department of Transportation (DDOT). Kershbaum, who was recently confirmed as the head of the city's Department of Transportation, has held several roles in the city government, including in human services, contracting, and procurement. She has also worked for the US Department of the Treasury and Fannie Mae.

Kershbaum's tenure as acting director of the DDOT has been defined by a now-defunct plan to put bike lanes on Connecticut Avenue. Despite this controversy, she received unanimous confirmation from the D.C. Council, with lawmakers praising her as "responsive, candid, and willing to collaborate."

Regarding speed cameras, Kershbaum said, "Speed cameras, which we've had for a number of years, work. We have been able to see demonstrable changes when we have speed cameras up." As of January 2023, there were 161 speed cameras in D.C., and this number is increasing. Kershbaum pointed to a speed camera in the 4000 block of Wheeler Road in Southeast as an example of the program's value. Initially, the camera was giving out about 7,500 citations a month, but a year and a half later, it's giving out less than 300 a month, a 96% drop in speeding.

The goal of the speed cameras is safety, and Kershbaum hopes that they deter speeding and change driver behavior. While the cameras are primarily focused on safety, they have also generated revenue for the city. From October 2023 through February 2024, the city's automated traffic enforcement program brought in almost $54 million. However, Kershbaum pushed back on the criticism that cameras are deployed with revenue in mind, stating that their goal is to change behavior and improve safety.

Traffic cameras in areas maintained by the National Park Service

Traffic cameras are an essential tool for monitoring road conditions and providing real-time updates to drivers. While many major commuter routes in Virginia and across the D.C. region are equipped with traffic monitoring cameras, most roads maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) lack this technology. This includes the George Washington Parkway, Clara Barton Parkway, Suitland Parkway, and Rock Creek Parkway, all of which are heavily used by commuters.

The National Park Service has recognized the need for traffic cameras on these roads and is taking steps to address this issue. In 2022, WTOP News reported that an upcoming rehabilitation project on the George Washington Parkway would lay the groundwork for live traffic cameras along a 7-mile stretch of the roadway. This project, with a cost of $161 million, is one of the largest infrastructure investments funded by the 2020 Great American Outdoor Act.

Charles Cuvelier, the superintendent of the G.W. Parkway, stated that the project will include infrastructure to house utility cables required for traffic cameras. While acknowledging the need for modern safety features, Cuvelier also emphasized the importance of being sensitive to the original design of the parkways. The rehabilitation project will include asphalt pavement replacement, redesigning interchanges, repairing stormwater management systems, and lengthening entrance and exit lanes.

In addition to the George Washington Parkway, other roads maintained by the National Park Service that could benefit from traffic cameras include the Clara Barton Parkway, Suitland Parkway, and Rock Creek Parkway. These roads experience significant commuter traffic and would greatly benefit from real-time traffic monitoring.

The addition of traffic cameras in these areas would provide valuable information to both drivers and traffic reporters, helping to improve safety and commute efficiency.

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