Automated Enforcement at Rail Crossings in Grand Prairie, Texas Sgt. Eric Hansen Grand Prairie Police Department Traffic Section.

Automated Enforcement at Rail Crossings in Grand Prairie, Texas

Sgt. Eric HansenGrand Prairie Police Department Traffic Section

Grand Prairie Quick Facts

Located centrally between Dallas and Fort Worth (South of DFW Airport)

81 square milesPopulation 170,000

Major AttractionsLone Star Park (Horse Racing)

Joe Pool Lake

Grand Prairie Police Traffic Section

1 Sergeant14 Officers

Motorcycle UnitAccident Investigations

DWI Unit

Automated Enforcement

Red Light Camera Enforcement• 10 approaches at 8 intersections.

Crossing Enforcement• First location installed June 2007• 5 approaches at 3 crossings along Union

Pacific mainline

Digital photographs and video of each violation

Union Pacific RR Corridor

• 4-mile corridor thru center of city• Double mainline tracks• Max Train Speed of 60 mph• 11 Existing at-grade crossings, all with gates

and lights.– 3 crossings proposed to be closed.– 2 new crossings proposed to be installed as part

of SH 161 construction.

W 23rd Street CrossingAutomated Enforcement NB and SB

W 19th Street CrossingAutomated Enforcement NB and SB

W 19th Street CrossingAutomated Enforcement NB (one-way street)

Current Texas LawTransportation Code - Chapter 707

Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement System• Local ordinance required• Engineering study required• Advance signs required• Civil penalty not to exceed $75• Vehicle owner presumed responsible• Collection split with contractor prohibited• Collected amount above costs split 50/50 between

regional trauma account and local traffic safety fund• Annual accident history report must be submitted to

TxDOT

Current Texas LawTransportation Code - Chapter 707

Rail Crossing Enforcement• Not mentioned

Grand Prairie OrdinanceCity Ordinance required for automated traffic signal enforcement also addresses automated railroad crossing enforcement.

•Civil penalty not to exceed $75 (originally $150 for railroad crossing violations).•Fine doubles for 3rd or subsequent violation.•Violator may request administrative hearing. Additional $25 if found liable.•If found liable by hearing officer, may appeal to municipal court. Additional $50 if found liable.

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JOHN DOE1234 MAIN STREET

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1234 Main Street

JOHN DOE

JOHN DOE

1234 Main StreetABC 123

Notice of Violation•Date•Time•Name•Address•Vehicle Info•Penalty Amount•Ordinance Citation•Violation Location•Respond by Date•Registered Owner•Officer Signature

Cost to CityRed Light Cameras• No up-front cost to City• Fixed monthly fee per intersection approach paid to

Contractor covers cost of engineering, materials installation, maintenance, and “ticket” processing.

Rail Crossing Cameras• No cost ever to City.• City and Contractor split collections as follows:

No. of Collections per Month City Contractor

Up to 90 $27 $48

91 - 180 $37 $38

Above 180 $47 $28

,

Cameras and Flash Unit

Camera Housing

Flasher Unit

Advance Signing

Actual ViolationVideos

Positive News Coverage

Violations HistoryFirst 5 Months at E 9th Crossing

Violation rates at E 9th crossing have since increased but have always been below first month of operation.

356

281 276

184140

Accident History

Prior to 2007, Grand Prairie had the highest grade crossing collision rate in the State.

5 fatalities at rail crossings in the 4 years prior to automated enforcement.

No accidents at 3 crossings with automated enforcement since installation.

Contact Info:

Sgt. Eric HansenTraffic SectionGrand Prairie Police Dept.(972) [email protected]