Oakland Partners with Verra Mobility to Enhance Traffic Safety with New Speed Safety Program
In a forward-thinking partnership, the City of Oakland has joined forces with Verra Mobility Corporation to launch an innovative speed safety program designed to enhance traffic safety across the city. This initiative, which comes on the heels of the city council's recent approval, marks a significant milestone in Oakland's efforts to tackle the rising concern of road safety and traffic-related fatalities.
Verra Mobility, a company listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol VRRM, is renowned for its smart mobility technology solutions. Their collaboration with Oakland paves the way for the deployment of advanced automated speed safety systems at various high-risk corridors throughout the city. This marks the second speed safety initiative in California that employs cutting-edge technology to address pressing speeding issues.
The city council's decision aligns with legislation known as Assembly Bill 645 (AB 645), which was enacted in October 2023. This law allows Oakland to roll out pilot programs that will utilize speed safety technology at a total of 18 specific locations identified as high-risk areas for traffic incidents. Equipped with 36 cameras, this initiative aims to reduce instances of speeding and ultimately save lives.
With Oakland grappling with an alarming average of more than 33 traffic fatalities each year since 2020, this program is viewed as a crucial strategic move towards enhancing the safety of residents. Councilmember Rowena Brown, who also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission, has publicly endorsed the project, emphasizing the various safety benefits it brings.
Josh Rowan, the Director of the City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT), also reiterated the program's importance, highlighting that reckless speeding has claimed too many lives on Oakland's streets. He expressed enthusiasm about utilizing a proven tool to improve public safety, stating that traffic safety requires a multi-faceted approach that includes both infrastructure improvements and enforcement measures.
The speed cameras will be strategically placed on the Oakland High-Injury Network, which encompasses just 8% of the city's streets but is responsible for a staggering 60% of severe and fatal crashes. Sites will be chosen based on a thorough analysis of vehicle speeds to ensure they are focused on areas with a documented history of speeding incidents. These locations will address not just the streets with the highest rates of violence but also those adjacent to schools, senior centers, and busy commercial districts, which are especially vulnerable to speeding-related accidents.
Verra Mobility's Vice President, Will Barnow, shared his optimism regarding the partnership with Oakland, highlighting the effectiveness of automated speed enforcement as a tool for street safety. He noted that the tragic statistic highlighting more than 400 children being injured daily in traffic crashes underscores the urgency of addressing speeding.
As part of this endeavor, the speed camera systems will operate around the clock, issuing citations to vehicles that exceed the speed limit by 11 mph or more. For first-time offenders, warnings will be issued for the initial 60 days of enforcement, following which fines could range from $50 to a maximum of $500 for the most severe violations. The program also includes provisions for reduced fees for low-income residents and stringent data privacy policies, ensuring only rear license plates are recorded during monitoring.
This strategic initiative is supported by a grant from the Alameda County Transportation Commission, and Verra Mobility is collaborating with local firm Marinship Development, LLC, for the installation and maintenance of the systems. The local company has committed to hiring Oakland residents for the duration of the project, adding an economic dimension to the safety initiative.
Residents can anticipate a public education campaign kicking off in the upcoming months to inform the community about the program. Additionally, continuous oversight by OakDOT will ensure ongoing evaluation and transparency through public updates on the city’s website.
In conclusion, the City of Oakland's partnership with Verra Mobility exemplifies a proactive approach to traffic safety that not only aims to reduce fatalities but also to foster a safer and more responsible driving culture across the city. This initiative represents a significant leap forward in urban mobility management, targeting hazardous driving behaviors while also addressing broader community welfare issues.
Verra Mobility, a company listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol VRRM, is renowned for its smart mobility technology solutions. Their collaboration with Oakland paves the way for the deployment of advanced automated speed safety systems at various high-risk corridors throughout the city. This marks the second speed safety initiative in California that employs cutting-edge technology to address pressing speeding issues.
The city council's decision aligns with legislation known as Assembly Bill 645 (AB 645), which was enacted in October 2023. This law allows Oakland to roll out pilot programs that will utilize speed safety technology at a total of 18 specific locations identified as high-risk areas for traffic incidents. Equipped with 36 cameras, this initiative aims to reduce instances of speeding and ultimately save lives.
With Oakland grappling with an alarming average of more than 33 traffic fatalities each year since 2020, this program is viewed as a crucial strategic move towards enhancing the safety of residents. Councilmember Rowena Brown, who also serves on the Alameda County Transportation Commission, has publicly endorsed the project, emphasizing the various safety benefits it brings.
Josh Rowan, the Director of the City of Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT), also reiterated the program's importance, highlighting that reckless speeding has claimed too many lives on Oakland's streets. He expressed enthusiasm about utilizing a proven tool to improve public safety, stating that traffic safety requires a multi-faceted approach that includes both infrastructure improvements and enforcement measures.
The speed cameras will be strategically placed on the Oakland High-Injury Network, which encompasses just 8% of the city's streets but is responsible for a staggering 60% of severe and fatal crashes. Sites will be chosen based on a thorough analysis of vehicle speeds to ensure they are focused on areas with a documented history of speeding incidents. These locations will address not just the streets with the highest rates of violence but also those adjacent to schools, senior centers, and busy commercial districts, which are especially vulnerable to speeding-related accidents.
Verra Mobility's Vice President, Will Barnow, shared his optimism regarding the partnership with Oakland, highlighting the effectiveness of automated speed enforcement as a tool for street safety. He noted that the tragic statistic highlighting more than 400 children being injured daily in traffic crashes underscores the urgency of addressing speeding.
As part of this endeavor, the speed camera systems will operate around the clock, issuing citations to vehicles that exceed the speed limit by 11 mph or more. For first-time offenders, warnings will be issued for the initial 60 days of enforcement, following which fines could range from $50 to a maximum of $500 for the most severe violations. The program also includes provisions for reduced fees for low-income residents and stringent data privacy policies, ensuring only rear license plates are recorded during monitoring.
This strategic initiative is supported by a grant from the Alameda County Transportation Commission, and Verra Mobility is collaborating with local firm Marinship Development, LLC, for the installation and maintenance of the systems. The local company has committed to hiring Oakland residents for the duration of the project, adding an economic dimension to the safety initiative.
Residents can anticipate a public education campaign kicking off in the upcoming months to inform the community about the program. Additionally, continuous oversight by OakDOT will ensure ongoing evaluation and transparency through public updates on the city’s website.
In conclusion, the City of Oakland's partnership with Verra Mobility exemplifies a proactive approach to traffic safety that not only aims to reduce fatalities but also to foster a safer and more responsible driving culture across the city. This initiative represents a significant leap forward in urban mobility management, targeting hazardous driving behaviors while also addressing broader community welfare issues.
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