And I read that somebody in the study is married to somebody with an interest in the result...


Regards,
John Pitman

-----Original Message-----
From: HP-3000 Systems Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Craig Lalley
Sent: Wednesday, 31 December 2008 4:58 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [HP3000-L] OT: Speed Cameras, revenue or safety

--- On Tue, 12/30/08, Bruce Collins <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>
> Did you read the article?
>
> The reason for the divergence of opinions is a statistical problem,
> according to critics, study authors and city officials.
> The analysis examined crash data at intersections that had a camera
> monitoring at least one of the four or more traffic signals in an
> intersection. Most intersections had a camera installed in only one
> direction, meaning that there were three other signals at that
> intersection without cameras.
>
> Interestingly, it was those unmonitored points in the intersection
> that saw the greatest increase in accidents.
> Where there is a camera, the accidents remained relatively flat or
> showed only a slight increase.
>
> "Collisions are going up all over the city," said Bob Stein, a Rice
> University political science professor and one of the report's
> authors. "But red-light cameras have held back that increase at
> approaches where they have been installed."
******************************************************************

Bruce,

I did read the article...

"They acknowledged, however, that comprehensive citywide vehicle crash data is not available."

"But they supplied no data other than the examination of the non-monitored directions of the 50 intersections to support the conclusion that accidents are up citywide. Stein acknowledged that data from the Houston Police Department shows accidents have declined in the city since 2004, although he said the data is problematic because police officers no longer file reports on every wreck."

"Critics contend there is no obvious reason to conclude that accidents have gone up across the city in the past year.

City Councilman Mike Sullivan, who has long opposed the cameras, said the point of the study was to see if they reduced collisions, and the results clearly show that they do not.

"There is no scientific, documented proof that collisions are reduced with the red-light camera program," said Sullivan, who represents parts of northwest Houston. "I've maintained all along that the program was flawed."

He added that those who have fought red-light cameras, claiming they are merely a revenue-generating vehicle for the city, now have "something to feel good about."

The city has 70 cameras installed at 50 intersections which photograph cars running red lights and then send tickets to the address registered to the driver's license plate. Since September 2006, the cameras have led to at least 387,000 citations and generated more than $20 million in revenue.

**********************************

Believe what you want to believe.  I believe 20 million dollars would taint even your opinion.

I am sure the study was conducted by unbiased analysts.  Let's see...

"Study authors - who include Robert Dahnke, Benjamin Stevenson and Stein from Rice University's Center for Civic Engagement, and Timothy Lomax from Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute"

No conflict there... none at all.

-Craig

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