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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Payne

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/07/07

3/12/07 HB

SHORT TITLE Traffic Camera and Signal Warning Signs

SB 861/aHTPWC

ANALYST Earnest

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

NFI

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Responses Not Received From

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HTPWC Amendment

The House Transportation and Public Works Committee (HTPWC) amendment would allow

rumble strips to be used in place of warning beacons before intersections where camera monitors

are in use. When rumble strips are used, the bill requires that warning signs be installed facing

traffic approaching the intersection and, where appropriate, in a median dividing opposite

directions of traffic.

Warning beacons would be synchronized with the traffic signal to flash when the signal is

lighted yellow or red. Rumble strips would simply indicate that the traffic signal is monitored by

camera. As an alternative to warning beacons, rumble strips would be less costly for

municipalities to install.

Senate Bill 861/aHTPWC – Page

2

Synopsis of Original Bill

Senate Bill 861 creates a new section of the Motor Vehicle Code to require that warning signs

and beacons be installed on the approach to traffic signals where camera monitors are in use.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There is no fiscal impact to the state. Counties or municipalities that have installed “red-light"

cameras at traffic signals would be required to purchase and install flashing warning beacons and

signs at those intersections.

DOT estimates the cost of installing the beacons and signage would average $250 thousand per

intersection. Currently the traffic signal communication systems don’t operate as the bill

intends, and the cost includes upgrades in technology to meet requirements of this bill. The cost

per intersection assumes eight beacons and signs per intersection.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The warning signals required by this bill would flash yellow lights to inform motorists driving at

the legal speed limit that they will encounter a red signal light.

Albuquerque is the only city in the state currently using “red light" cameras, and according to an

Albuquerque Journal editorial (2/07/07), the city has reported a drop in red light running

offenses at intersections where cameras have been installed. The fine for running a red light is

$100 or more, and the increase in assessed penalties has reportedly boosted revenue to the city.

The Journal editorial notes the increased revenue is being used for the red light camera program

and anti-methamphetamine initiative.

While the locations of Albuquerque’s 15 red light camera are published in the newspaper, this

bill also would effectively identify the intersections where red light cameras are in use. The bill,

however, does not prevent counties or municipalities from installing warning beacons at

intersections without cameras.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

To assess the fines, the City of Albuquerque has an agreement with the Taxation and Revenue

Department to use the state’s motor vehicle database to match license plates with the owners.

BE/csd