Traffic Cameras Are Picture Perfect for Riverside Officials

Riverside has nearly three dozen cameras, which other cities have shunned

Riverside is one Southern California city that has expanded its system of cameras that monitor intersections.

"The City of Riverside recently renewed their agreement for the cameras at about 30 intersections," said Tom Boyd, interim public works director. "They have really shown to reduce accidents."

The electronic eyes serve two purposes: monitoring safety, and enforcing traffic violations.

"We have two sets of different cameras," Boyd said. "One that we monitor traffic for about 25 intersections, and we have another set of cameras for red light enforcement."

Many cameras are strategically placed in areas of Riverside where traffic jams are a known problem.

It's from the Traffic Management Center inside Riverside City Hall that they're able to monitor, in real time, many different intersections.

"We have about 250 of our signals hooked up to this room," Boyd said, "and we can start changing the traffic signal timing to accommodate people getting off the freeway, or trying to go around a stopped train."

Safety and traffic management aside, red light cameras generate revenue -- $490 a ticket.

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And while they are the same type of cameras that other cities have abandoned, Riverside officials believe the electronic eyes make the city safer.

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