Recently we came across an interesting article in the York Daily Record about automated speed enforcement in highway work zones. It made two very important points.
First, many people may be surprised to learn that travelers – not construction workers – are the biggest winners with improved work zone safety, because four out of five people killed in work zone crashes are drivers or passengers.
Second, statistics from Maryland’s automated speed enforcement program, which began several years ago, show that the program is unquestionably effective in encouraging drivers to slow down. When the program began, seven of every 100 vehicles sped through work zones at least 12 miles per hour over the speed limit. Now, the rate has fallen to 1 of every 100.
The Senate passed an automated speed enforcement bill earlier this year. We understand that the House intends to take up the issue when it returns this fall.
Look below for a link to the Daily Record article.
Transportation Issue Update
- Maryland’s experience with automated speed enforcement in work zones shows how work zone safety can be improved for relatively little cost.
- Columbus, Ohio, provides an example of how to retool a public transportation system to improve transportation services without requiring more money.
- As it turns out, President Trump’s infrastructure plans call for most of the money to come from state and local coffers.
- Governor Wolf has authorized what he called “a very short-term” loan from the state’s Motor License Fund while awaiting a final revenue plan to support the current fiscal year budget.
- Transportation advocates are growing worried that President Trump’s infrastructure package may end up getting spread too thin.
- Our friends at York County’s RabbitTransit will launch a six-month pilot program to see how the transit system might work with Lyft and Uber to provide transportation services more efficiently.