Red-Light Camera Audit: CDOT Can't Prove Claims, Lacks 'Basic Record Keeping'

The results of a red-light camera system audit cannot prove true what the city says were the devices' original purpose—to increase safety at intersections with high crash rates, according to the Chicago Inspector General's Office.

The audit was requested in February because of questions posed by area alderman; 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack, included. They wanted proof, they said, that the Australian company, Redflex Traffic Systems Inc., and Chicago installed the devices to improve traffic safety rather than to create a source of revenue.

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But the IG's office found that the Chicago Department of Transportation was "unable to substantiate its claims that the city chose to install the red-light cameras at intersections with the highest angle crash rates in order to complete safety."

Inspector General Joe Ferguson continues to say, "Neither do we know, from the information provided by CDOT, why cameras in locations with no recent angle crashes have not been relocated."

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Red-light camera enforcement started in 2003, when officials launched a pilot program at two area intersections—one on the North Side and one on the South Side. The majority of the camera decisions were made at least five years ago, the audit says, when almost none of CDOT's current leaders were at the helm. 

Seven intersections in or on the border of Lincoln Park are currently monitored using red-light cameras, according to the city's data. Several others pepper the North Side and more than 380 are placed at 190 locations within the city's boundaries. 

Of those, only 10 cameras—from just five different intersections—have been relocated since th program's inception, according to the IG's office. There were no relocations prior to Nov. 2, 2010, nor after May 11, 2011.

The audit details the number of tickets and amount of fines collected at each of the city's camera-enforced intersections in 2012.

Here are the top 10 spots: 

The findings also note that the city is spending about 55 percent of camera set's purchase price on annual maintenance expenses. 

"The city cannot effectively manage its programs unless it measures its programs," Ferguson said, according to the audit. "In addition to finding that the city cannot prove RLC installation locations are based on safety considerations, we discovered a striking lack of basic record keeping and analysis for this $70 million program."

The IG's office recommends that the city create and follow clear criteria for the camera systems program if it is to continue.

The full audit, including the IG's recommendations, is attached to this story as a PDF. It can also be found online.