About the Red Light Photo-Enforcement system being used in Glendale

There are several Red Light Photo Enforcement systems being used throughout the United States. The system used by the City of Glendale is the Redflex Smartcam System. The following is a basic description of the system which has been installed in the City of Glendale:

Magnetic/Inductor loop sensors are installed in the roadway prior to the limit line. If a vehicle passes over the sensors, at a predetermined speed while the signal light is red, the system records the incident. The sensors are placed between 53 and 65 inches from the limit line. If the speed of the vehicle is at or above the predetermined speed, the vehicle will not be able to come to a complete stop in the short distance between the sensors and the limit line.

The violations captured are then transmitted to RedFlex headquarters, where they are each reviewed a minimum of two times in order to determine if the system had operated completely and accurately. Once this has been determined, the violations are transmitted to the Traffic Bureau Office at the Glendale Police Department where they are reviewed by a police officer to determine if the violation was valid and if a citation is warranted. If a violation is determined to be valid and the driver is identified, a citation is issued.

At specified intersections (listed below), the Redflex Smartcam Camera system is connected to the traffic signal controller, red light function only. It is inactive during the green and yellow signal phases and does not modify or control the signal lights in any way.

The inductor loops for the intersection of Mountain St. and Verdugo Rd. are imbedded in the west bound roadway of Mountain, east of the intersection. There are sensor loops in the #1 and #2 left turn lanes, as well as the #3 straight lane, and the #4 right turn lane.

The inductor loops for the intersection of Glendale Ave. and Broadway are imbedded in south bound roadway of Glendale, north of the intersection. There are sensor loops in the #1 left turn lane, the #2 and #3 straight lanes, as well as the #4 right turn lane.

The inductor loops for the intersection of Colorado St. and Pacific Ave. are imbedded in east bound roadway of Colorado, west of the intersection. There are sensor loops in the #1 left turn lane and the #2 and #3 straight lanes (it should also be noted that the #3 straight lane is also used for right turns).

All signal light phasing is set by the City of Glendale; per Cal Trans standards (in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).

At the intersection of Mountain and Verdugo, the #1 and #2 dedicated left turn lanes and the #4 dedicated right turn lane have a yellow light duration of 3.5 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.0 seconds. The #3 dedicated straight lane has a yellow light duration of 4.0 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.6 seconds. [This is based upon the speed limit of 35 mph.]

At the intersection of Glendale and Broadway, the #1 dedicated left turn lane has a yellow light duration of 3.5 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.0 seconds. The #2 and #3 dedicated straight lanes have a yellow light duration of 3.6 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.2 seconds. The #4 right turn lane is a dedicated right turn lane. It also has a yellow light duration of 3.6 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.0 seconds. [This is based upon the speed limit of 30 mph.]

At the intersection of Colorado and Pacific, the #1 dedicated left turn lane has a yellow light duration of 3.5 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.0 seconds. The #2 and #3 dedicated straight lanes have a yellow light duration of 3.9 seconds, with a minimum required duration of 3.6 seconds. The #3 straight lane is also used for right turns, but is not a dedicated right turn lane. [This is based upon the speed limit of 35 mph.]

After a signal turns red, there is a brief period of time when all directions have a red signal (at least 1.0 seconds). There is also a 1/10th of a second delay before the system will capture a violation. A vehicle must be traveling at 15 mph (10 mph after May 7th, 2008) or greater for the system to activate and capture a violation.

During the red phase, when the roadway sensors detect a violation, the system activates and three digital cameras record four separate images. The date, time, time into the red cycle, location, detected vehicle speed, and the posted speed limit are encrypted and embedded into the images via a data bar shown at the top of each image. The four images on the actual citation consist of:

• Scene A, showing the vehicle behind the limit line with the red signal.
• Scene B, showing the vehicle through the intersection.
• Scene C, face image showing the operator of the vehicle.
• Scene D, image showing the license number of the vehicle.

Additionally, all intersections are equipped with a digital video camera. At the time the violation is detected, the video camera stores approximately 12 seconds (of 25 frames per second video) of the violation. The video sequence is also encrypted and filed with the still photo evidence.

The Defendant has had several opportunities to view the video and photos, by logging into a website (www.photonotice.com) or by coming to my office. Both options are clearly explained on the citations they received in the mail. Additionally, each defendant was also given an opportunity to view them just prior to the start of today’s proceedings.

Pursuant to 21455.6(a) CVC
- A public hearing was conducted by the Glendale City Council on March 6th, 2007 regarding the use of automated red light photo enforcement systems.

Pursuant to 21455.5 CVC:
- A program to issue only warning notices for 30 days commenced on February 29th 2008, for the intersections at Mountain/Verdugo and Colorado/Pacific. The issuance of actual citations at these intersections began on March 30th 2008.
- The 30 day warning period commenced on March 12th 2008, for the intersection at Glendale/Broadway. The issuance of actual citations began on April 11th 2008, for this intersection.
- Public announcements were made in the form of radio, television, newspaper, and internet articles prior to commencement of the Redflex Red Light Photo-Enforcement program.
- Signs, clearly indicating the system's presence are visible at all approaches of the intersections where the photo enforcement is being used.
- In addition to regular maintenance performed by RedFlex, the signs and camera systems are visually inspected weekly (by me) and a log is maintained in the Traffic Bureau.

Pursuant to 40518(a) CVC
- After a violation is reviewed, and is accepted, a notice to appear, is requested. In compliance with 40518(a) CVC, the notice is issued within 15 days of the violation.