Pennsylvania investing $15.4M into red-light enforcement

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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation plans to provide $15.4 million in Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding to 38 municipalities for 50 safety projects.

ARLE provides automated enforcement in locations where data shows red-light running is a problem. Since 2010, ARLE has provided $78.49 million in funding to 416 safety projects.

Grant funding is supplied under state law by red-light violation fines from 30 Philadelphia intersections. Proceeds from the fines are to be used for reducing congestion, enhancing mobility and improving safety, according to the law.

“This program helps communities across the state make investments in traffic flow and safety,” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said. “These improvements complement the many road, bridge, and multimodal projects happening in Pennsylvania.”

An eight-member committee reviewed 134 applications totaling nearly $38 million in requests. Projects were evaluated based on several criteria, including cost, cost sharing, benefits and effectiveness, and local and regional impact.

Grant awards varied from $8,614 to $7.6 million. The largest grant was awarded to Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Slow Zone Program and its Modern Roundabout Program.

The programs deploy traffic calming strategies and are replacing intersections with roundabouts at four possible locations.

Funding also will be used for other projects including improving safety along Cobbs Creek Parkway.