River Edge Considers Red Light Cameras

Seeking new and inovative ways to bring revenue into River Edge, borough officials prevously listened to a presentation by American Traffic Solutions (ATS) about installing red light cameras along Kinderkamack Road.

Charles Callari, the ATS Vice President, stated during his presentation that the current pilot program may be expanded following the new year which would allow River Edge to begin collecting revenue. The red light pilot program was introduced during Gov. Corzine's administration in 2008 and expected to run through 2013 and allows approximately 25 New Jersey municipalities to participate.

"Participation is based on an application process which includes the amount of traffic, congestion at an intersection, the number of crashes and number of violations the police issues at a specific site," Callari said. "We believe over the next several months, the DOT will be looking to expand the program."

The cameras are programed to take a picture of a license plate as the vehicle passes through a red traffic light which began moving from behind a stop bar and rolls past it completely after the light has changed. The cameras are programmed to disregard those drivers that make a left turn on a yellow light or stop just beyond the stop bar.

The one thing the system will not disregard is those motorists that make a right on red, which is prevalent at various traffic lights in the borough. According to Callari, it would be up to the full discretion of the REPD to disregard any summonses issued.

"There are no out-of-pocket expenses to the municipality," Callari said. "ATS covers the costs for the entire length of the project for maintenance. We take a percentage of the profits but if there is not a large profit, then we don't take anything."

He estimated that on average a municipality with red light cameras generates between $50,000 to $100,000 in revenue per month for a single intersection.

The council is expected to continue discussing the benefits and disadvantages of installing red light cameras at a later date.