New traffic restrictions on Secor at Central

City of Toledo Press Release:

Traffic restricted at Secor and Central intersection as construction progresses

Semi and bus traffic will be rerouted during reconstruction and utility work

picture from WNWO

As work to reconstruct Secor Road progresses at the intersection of Secor Road and Central Avenue it will become necessary to place additional restrictions on the traffic permitted to enter the intersection.

Beginning Wednesday, July 10 additional signage will be added to detour semi trucks and busses to alternate routes around the Secor and Central intersection. Truck traffic will still have access to make deliveries to businesses in and around the Secor Road corridor.

As engineers and contractors have observed the first full day of construction it has become obvious that extra precautions are necessary to ensure worker safety and the safety of other motorists and pedestrians. While cars have been making right hand turns without difficulty larger trucks have struggled and on occasion become stuck or run over curbs and sidewalks.

Programmable message boards will be installed at key locations advising trucks not to proceed to the intersection and to utilize posted detours. Additional signage will be installed to inform trucks of these detour routes. Toledo Police will be enforcing all posted traffic advisories in the area and assist in redirecting wayward trucks. Finally, the project contractor will work through the weekend in order to minimize the construction time in the intersection.

Businesses on Secor Road affected by the change in traffic patterns have been notified and the city continues to communicate changes in the construction program to them through the construction ombudsman.

The Secor Road construction is a $5.1 million capital improvement project that has included a new waterline providing service to the area and total reconstruction of the road from Monroe Street to Central Avenue. The project is scheduled to be completed no later than November 2013.

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How Ohio profits from dangerous intersections

This commentary went up yesterday at Ohio Watchdog. I'm sharing it here because it's reflective of many points I've made all along about the red light and speed cameras.

REVENUE: If it’s really all about safety, where are the traffic engineering studies showing why intersections are unsafe?

Since 2001, when Toledo became one of the first Midwestern cities to install red light cameras, we’ve been told it was all about safety. Any revenue associated with making dangerous intersections safer was an unintended bonus.

“We are not looking at this as a revenue-producing thing, but as a traffic crash-reduction program,” said Toledo Police Lt. Louis Borucki.

In 2002, TPD Chief Mike Navarre told the Toledo Blade “It’s never about money. It’s about reducing accidents.”

In 2003, Toledo considered adding speed cameras. Apparently afraid of getting a ticket for running a red light, motorists were speeding up to get through an intersection. Who would have expected that?

In 2004, the city added more cameras, including speed cameras, bringing the total to 21.

“This is for personal safety. It’s not for balancing the general fund,” Tom Crothers, the city’s acting finance director, told the Blade.

But the financial impact was significant. In 2004, Toledo’s 25 percent take of the ticket amount was $279,700. Redflex, the company that won the contract for the cameras, got the rest.

In 2007, as the city considered an increase in the red light camera fines, safety was, again, the focus:

The additional revenue would make a major dent in the potential $10 million deficit next year, but the chief said that was not the intent.

“The job of the police department is to do enforcement and reduce accidents,” Navarre said. “If we increase revenue while we do that, that is a fortunate byproduct. It is certainly not our objective.”

In 2008, the Toledo council voted to increase the fine – from $95 to $120 – and negotiated 55 percent of the take. The city projected  revenue from the cameras would increase from $606,025 collected in 2007 to $2.5 million.

But a funny thing happened. As more people became aware of the cameras and either adjusted their driving or avoided the targeted intersections, revenue fell below projections.

In discussing the shortfall in 2009, Navarre continued the safety theme, saying “money is absolutely not the reason for the cameras.”

As a group was gathering signatures to place a red light camera ban on the ballot, Navarre again said, “The fact that revenue is generated is a fortunate by-product.”

Clearly, the revenue was important, more so as the city expanded the number and type of cameras it used.

If we are to take the politicians, law enforcement personnel and advocates at their word — that it’s all about safety — where are the studies showing why the intersections so unsafe?  What is it about certain intersections that make right-angle crashes more prevalent?

Barnet Fagel, a traffic researcher and a highway safety advocate with motorist advocacy group the National Motorists Association, said:

“There’s no need for cameras if intersections are safe,” explains Fagel. “Cameras document traffic engineering errors. They don’t prevent collisions, they only record them.”

And, “If an intersection is properly engineered you don’t need cameras. I feel as long as intersections are inherently unsafe they will be profitable for the camera company and the village.”

When trying to determine problems at an intersection, the National Traffic Safety Board recommends conducting studies of intersections and approaches to determine why red-light accidents happen. They identify several countermeasures to consider, including increasing yellow light times, having red lights in all directions before any light turns green and creating designated turn lanes.

The Federal Highway Administration on its intersection safety web page says:

Research shows that yellow interval duration is a significant factor affecting the frequency of red-light running and that increasing yellow time to meet the needs of traffic can dramatically reduce red-light running.

The FHA links to this report, which estimates results if a specific countermeasure or group of countermeasures is implemented.  A crash reduction factor is the “percentage crash reduction that might be expected after implementing a given countermeasure.”

Red light cameras have a CRF of 16 for right-angle fatal/injury crashes and a CRF of 25 for all injuries from right-angle crashes.  But their impact on rear-end crashes has a CRF ranging from minus 15 to minus 57, meaning they actually increase the chance of crashing.

The CRF for all types of crashes and all types of injuries using the red light cameras is minus 12.

Adding an all-red clearance interval has a CRF of 30 for right-angle crashes, which makes it more effective than a red-light camera.

Other measures listed with higher reduction factors than cameras are:

• Improving signal timing — CRF of 30 for right-angle fatal/injury crashes
• Increasing yellow change interval — CRF of 30 for right-angle fatal/injury crashes
• Provide protected left-turn phase — CRF of 80 for right-angle crashes and 30 for all types of crashes
• Converting intersections to roundabouts — CRF of 78 for fatal/injury crashes at signaled intersections.

All would be better at improving intersection safety than installing a red light camera — if safety is really the issue.

As the General Assembly debates a ban on cameras, will anyone ask the camera proponents if they followed this advice to determine the cause of crashes before they installed cameras?

In 2012 when Toledo added 11 more cameras, officials admitted that revenue was the only reason.

Finance Director Patrick McLean said the city selected the new intersections with the help of the Arizona-based company American Traffic Solutions.

The firm used a computer program to analyze traffic volumes and patterns across Toledo to determine intersections where red light violations are most likely to occur, he said.

Despite clear advice from experts in traffic safety, Toledo has never conducted a traffic engineering study of the numerous intersections they say are so dangerous. In this latest vote, they placed the cameras at intersections were violations were “likely.”

Why did they want the extra cameras?  To raise $320,000 to fund the city’s recreation department.

Apparently it is just about the money.

Update: Secor Rd., I-475 closing June 6

Press release from the City of Toledo:

Secor Road access to I-475 to close beginning Thursday, June 6

The 10 day, I-475 ramp closures are now scheduled to begin at 2:00 AM Thursday, June 6th. The portion of Secor that has been under construction will have all lanes re-opened to traffic. Traffic between Queenswood and Kroger will be narrowed to one lane in each direction while crews reconstruct Secor Road at the on and off ramps.

The work was previously scheduled to begin June 4th but was delayed due to rain. During the ramp closure, the city is suggesting eastbound travelers on I-475 use the ProMedica Parkway exit as an alternative to Secor Road. Westbound motorists are able to exit the interstate at Douglas Road, Monroe Street or Talmadge Road. Surface street detours will direct traffic from those exits back to Secor Road.

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Secor Road access to I-475 to close for 10 days in June

Press release from City of Toledo:

Secor Road access to I-475 to close for 10 days in June

Closure will emphasize safety, limit congestion during reconstruction

As work progresses on the Secor Road reconstruction project, it will become necessary to close both east and westbound on and off ramps to interstate 475 for 10 days beginning June 4, 2013. During this time Secor Road at the base of all four ramps will be reconstructed.

Representatives from the City of Toledo, project contractor Geddis Paving and the Ohio Department of Transportation District Two office met to determine the best way to reconstruct the road at the base of on/off ramps with minimal impact to businesses and motorists. The major concerns for all parties were issues involving safety for motorists on the interstate, motorists on Secor Road and workers involved in the construction project.


View Larger Map

“Slowing cars from exiting the off-ramp by restricting lane access can lead to traffic back-ups on the expressway which can become dangerous,” said Robin Whitney, City of Toledo Commissioner of Engineering Services. “Additionally, restricting the access of on-ramps at these particular intersections increases the difficulty for large trucks making turns and again causes safety concerns both for workers and passing motorists. By closing all ramps for a 10-day period we are able to maintain traffic on Secor Road and the result is much safer for all who are traveling and working in the area. We can also complete this phase of the project much faster than would be possible by only reconstructing the road one lane at a time.”

During the ramp closure, the city is suggesting eastbound travelers on I-475 use the ProMedica Parkway exit as an alternative to Secor Road. Westbound motorists are able to exit the interstate at Douglas Road, Monroe Street or Talmadge Road. Surface street detours will direct traffic from those exits back to Secor Road.

The city will work through its ombudsman to give businesses along the Secor Road corridor advanced notice of the impending closure. City engineers continue to work with the project contractor to ensure that a strict timeline is met to ensure businesses are able to plan for the impact throughout the project.

“Secor Road is a major commercial thoroughfare in west Toledo and we want to be sure that while we’re investing in the infrastructure to improve this area of town, we’re also investing in the businesses that have committed to our local economy,” said Mayor Michael P. Bell. “This is the first time we’ve used an ombudsman on a major road construction project and I think its helping us to communicate better with businesses and ensure their concerns are both heard and addressed. Construction is never without its headaches, but I appreciate the patience of the businesses as we work to improve the road.”

The Secor Road reconstruction project began in March 2013. To date the northbound lanes of the road from Central to Queenswood have been removed, the water line replaced and the road reconstructed. Currently the southbound lanes are undergoing reconstruction. The road from Queenswood to just north of the I-475 access point will be reconstructed during the 10-day closure in June. Work in late summer will include reconstruction of the Central Avenue and Secor Road intersection. The entire reconstruction project is anticipated to be complete by November 2013.

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Got potholes???

If so, the City of Toledo wants to hear from you.

No, this isn't the normal 'complain to city hall' about the never ending stretch of bad roads with huge gaping portions of the surface missing. This is for a special weekend blitz to the recent freeze/thaw cycle we've experienced in the area.

City crews are going to work this weekend filling potholes based mainly on your calls. All you have to do is pick up a phone and dial 419-936-2523. The number will be answered over the weekend and dispatchers will relay your reports to field crews.

The city hopes to 'hit' the majority of the tire wreckers with this blitz. But if your favorite spot to avoid still exists Monday morning, you can call 419-936-BUMP or report potholes on line using this form on the city's website.

Ultimate red light camera question for Toledo City Council

Actually, this question would apply to any entity that wants to install red light or speed cameras. Feel free to demand an answer of your elected officials!

If these cameras are for "safety" then where are the traffic engineering studies you did on each intersection documenting the safety issues and potential solutions???


When they don't have any traffic engineering studies that document the safety issues at the intersections ask a follow-up question: Then why are you implementing a 'solution' when you don't even know what the 'problem' is???

Obviously, this is all about the money and asking this question will clearly demonstrate that fact.

Toledo City Council: liar, liar, pants on fire

Tomorrow Toledo City Council is scheduled to vote on adding 11 red light cameras in order to - hopefully - generate $320,000 to fund recreational programs. From all the news reports and comments, it appears that the measure will pass. After all, 'if it saves just one life' ...

For a decade, Toledo administrators and elected officials have told us the cameras are there for our safety. On June 22, 2009, as the city was discussing the fact that the camera revenue was not as projected, Police Chief Mike Navarre was on the record emphasizing safety over money.

Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre said money is absolutely not the reason for the cameras.

"I believe in the red-light camera[s] and they have been proven just by the very fact there is a drop in violations at the intersections where they are installed," Chief Navarre said. "If less people are going through red lights, there are going to be less accidents."

In 2007, as the city supported an increase in the red light camera fines, safety was, again, the focus:

From Chief Navarre:The additional revenue would make a major dent in the potential $10 million deficit next year, but the chief said that was not the intent.

"The job of the police department is to do enforcement and reduce accidents," Chief Navarre said. "If we increase revenue while we do that, that is a fortunate byproduct. It is certainly not our objective."

From Councilman Rob Ludeman: "What sold me was not so much the revenue source but making the intersections safer."

In 2009, as a group was gathering signatures to put the red light camera issue on the ballot, Chief Navarre again emphasized that revenue was merely a "by-product."

While the cameras do produce revenue for the city, Chief Navarre said that is not their sole purpose.

He said every camera throughout the city has shown a steady decline in violations since they were installed.

"That means less people are running red lights and I think it's logical and sensible to conclude there will be less accidents," he said. "The fact that revenue is generated is a fortunate by-product."

And then there's Councilman Tom Waniewski, who in 2008 said:

Councilman Tom Waniewski asked if the Finkbeiner administration would consider installing flashing yellow lights in advance of red lights to warn motorists.

"I'm concerned that a lot of times now, particularly now with increased air patrol, which is intended to be a revenue generator, that we're becoming a gotcha city," Mr. Waniewski said.

But today, Waniewski has accepted the idea of being a "gotcha city":

“If it will keep accidents down, then fantastic. I think we’ve probably come to accept the cameras as part of our landscape,” councilman Tom Waniewski said.

"...we've come to accept" the cameras? Wow - what a testament to Toledoans and their willingness to have their liberties infringed. And what a comment for a Republican councilman.

I guess we should be grateful that, at least now, they're all admitting it's just for the money. Finally we see their previous claims of safety for the lies they were.

But that's not all, folks - they're actually bragging about that fact and how this is a great solution to their budget problems. Heaven forbid that they actually try to live within their revenue rather than just create new taxes, fees and fines to continue spending beyond their means!

The worst part of this is how they came up with the new locations. According to today's paper, the intersections were selected based upon where red light running is "likely" to occur.

Finance Director Patrick McLean said the city selected the new intersections with the help of the Arizona-based company American Traffic Solutions.

The firm used a computer program to analyze traffic volumes and patterns across Toledo to determine intersections at which red light violations are most likely to occur, he said.

So we're not looking at accidents caused by running a red light. We're not looking at the number of violations of running a red light. We're letting some Arizona company predict where their computer program says it's "most likely" to have revenue. And that's where we're installing them.

Here's the thing that most frustrates me: if we have intersections where red light running is "likely," why haven't we modified those intersections to address that likelihood and thus make our intersections .... wait for it .... SAFER?!?

Here is the list of intersections:

• The southbound and northbound lanes of Secor Road at West Alexis Road, a congested intersection near Whitmer High School
• The northbound and southbound lanes of the Anthony Wayne Trail at Glendale Avenue southwest of the Toledo Zoo
• The eastbound and westbound lanes of West Bancroft Street at North Reynolds Road
• The eastbound and northbound lanes at Heatherdowns Boulevard at South Byrne Road
• Northbound North Detroit Avenue at Dorr Street
• Northbound Talmadge Road at Monroe Street, close to Westfield Franklin Park mall
• Southbound Collingwood Boulevard at Dorr Street

If Toledo city council members vote yes on this plan, it makes them all liars. They cannot stand by prior comments that the cameras are all about safety and then turn around and use them to fund the recreation department.

Call or email your city council members and tell them to vote no on using red light cameras sto fund the recreation department. Here is their contact information:

Toledo City Council phone number: 419-245-1050

D. Michael Collins: dmichael.collins@toledo.oh.gov

Phil Copeland: phillip.copeland@toledo.oh.gov

Mike Craig: mike.craig@toledo.oh.gov

Paula Hicks-Hudson: Paula.Hicks-Hudson@toledo.oh.gov

Rob Ludeman: rob.ludeman@toledo.oh.gov

Adam Martinez: adam.martinez@toledo.oh.gov

Joe McNamara: joe.mcnamara@toledo.oh.gov

Tyrone Riley: tyrone.riley@toledo.oh.gov

George Sarantou: george.sarantou@toledo.oh.gov

Steven Steel: steven.steel@toledo.oh.gov

Tom Waniewski: tom.waniewski@toledo.oh.gov

Lindsay Webb: lindsay.webb@toledo.oh.gov

Run a red light - it's for the children

Well, well, well. Imagine my surprise to learn that the City of Toledo is planning to install additional red light cameras in order to generate funds to pay for recreational programs. The cameras clearly aren't about safety, but are merely a tool to raise funds because the city just can't stop spending.

I nearly flew out of my chair when I heard Patrick McLean, Finance Director, tell Toledo City Council at their meeting today that they will install 11 additional cameras with the hopes of raising about $320,000.

Of course, this relies upon people not running the red lights.

The problem, as I've detailed previously, is that the more people get used to red light and speed cameras, the less the revenue there is from violations. Since 2009 when the city added speed cameras and negotiated a higher percentage of the fines, the revenue has steadily decreased. This means that the city, in order to continue to collect their targeted budget amounts, must constantly expand the big-brother-type surveillance.

And now, they want the additional revenue from the additional cameras to go to recreational programs - who could argue with that?!?

Can't you just see the ads now?

* Run a red light - it's for the children!

* When you run a red light, that money goes to buy eggs for the annual Easter Egg hunt. Don't let needy children go without an egg on Easter - run a red light today!

and my favorite for which I even made a poster

* Without government recreational programs, kids will turn to crime. So run a red light ... commit a crime to keep kids from becoming criminals.

Of course, this time around, they're actually admitting the cameras are to generate revenue - not for the safety of motorists, as they've claimed previously.

Remember what traffic researcher and highway safety advocate with the motorist advocacy group National Motorists Association Barnet Fagel said:

“There’s no need for cameras if intersections are safe,” explains Fagel. “Cameras document traffic engineering errors. They don’t prevent collisions, they only record them.”
...
“If an intersection is properly engineered you don’t need cameras. I feel as long as intersections are inherently unsafe they will be profitable for the camera company and the village.”

It's what I said originally, but here's an 'expert' saying the exact same thing.

So I guess there's no need for any traffic engineering studies - not that the city did any in the first place. There's no need to try all reds in every direction before the light turns green - and no need to expand the yellow light time. In fact, since this is all about revenue, they'll probably shorten the yellow light time, as they've been accused of doing in the past, just to ensure more people get a ticket for running the red light. Talk about enhancing safety.

Perhaps, as numerous towns are ending their red light programs and evidence is mounting that the cameras actually cause more accidents, it's probably a good thing that Toledo is so opening admitting that it's not about safety, but about the bottom line.

My only hope is that City Council will say no to additional red light cameras in order to fund recreational programs. But if we can't stop them from installing more cameras, maybe we can at least get them to dedicate the revenue to repair our decrepit roads.