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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.
ABC123
12345
JOHN DOE1234 MAIN STREET
ABC 123
ABC123
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.
