SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the first time, interested citizens can now see the direct economic savings in their own communities that result from using red-light safety cameras at dangerous intersections, using a cost-benefit analysis commissioned by American Traffic Solutions and undertaken by John Dunham and Associates, an economic research firm specializing in economic and fiscal impact studies.
The savings are realized by the decrease in crashes and the ability to redeploy police officers from monitoring dangerous intersections to other crime-fighting efforts.
The study applied a conservative approach, using only the most basic factors for costs and savings. The researchers calculated the estimated cost savings to a community from the deployment of one red-light safety camera at one busy intersection in 25,000 cities and towns in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To direct attention on the savings realized from reduced crash numbers, revenues resulting from citations paid by red-light runners were not factored into the study's calculations.
City-specific savings, along with a detailed explanation of the methodology used, can be reviewed at http://www.atsol.com/economicbenefit. Calculations were estimated over a five-year period.
According to John Dunham and Associates, whose researchers conducted the analysis, a reduction in the number of traffic crashes translates into a direct savings for the community. Red-light safety cameras help reduce crashes, as documented by multiple studies cited in Dunham's analysis. By reducing crashes, the cameras contribute an economic benefit to the community.
"The measurable costs of crashes, which have been calculated by the U.S. Department of Transportation, are immense and impact everyone. These costs include medical, emergency services, property damage, lost productivity, the monetized value of pain and suffering, lost quality of life, travel delays, insurance administration and legal and court costs," said John Dunham, managing partner of the firm.
The savings varied from city to city due to the variety of factors that were included in the methodology. For instance, the analysis shows a savings in Hazelwood, Missouri, of $163,036 from one red-light safety camera in the first year of operation and a cumulative savings of $728,952 over five years. In St. Petersburg, Florida, the savings in the first year is $187,440 and $846,849 over five years. In Linden, New Jersey, the savings are $289,184 in the first year and more than $1.3 million over five years.
"It's indisputable that there is a cost associated with automobile crashes," said James Tuton, president and CEO of ATS. "This study finally provides us with the measurable economic benefits a city can realize by using even one red-light safety camera to decrease crashes in their community. However, the greatest benefit any community can achieve through road safety camera programs is saving people's lives."
About American Traffic Solutions:
ATS is proud to be the market leader in road safety camera installations in North America. ATS has more than 3,000 installed red-light and speed safety cameras serving more than 30 million people. ATS has contracts in nearly 300 communities in 21 states and Washington, D.C., including: Fort Worth, Kansas City, Memphis, Nassau County (N.Y.), New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and St. Louis. ATS also offers PlatePass, an automated electronic toll payment service that enables rental vehicle customers to use high-speed, cashless electronic toll lanes. ATS is a privately-owned, U.S.corporation. For more information, please visit: www.atsol.com or www.PlatePass.com. To view video that serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers that red-light runners present to our family and children, visit ATS on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ATSRoadSafety
About John Dunham and Associates:
John Dunham and Associates is an economic research firm uniquely focused on government relations, developing economic information and materials to help clients present information on their products and processes to a wide audience. The firm specializes in economic and fiscal impact studies by legislative district or geographic area as well as cost-benefit analysis, demographic and business analysis, industry pricing and volume studies, and economic messaging.
Contact: Charles Territo
Title: Vice President of Communications
Phone: (480) 443-7000
Email: media@atsol.com
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