Red-Light-Running Handbook: An Engineer's Guide to Reducing Red-Light-Related Crashes

The problem of red- light-running is widespread and growing; its cost to society is significant. However, the literature is void of quantitative guidelines that can be used to identify and treat problem locations. Moreover, there has been concern voiced over the validity of various methods used to identify problem locations, especially when automated enforcement is being considered. The objective of this handbook is to describe guidelines for identifying and treating locations that have an unusually large number of red-light violations or related crashes. Separate guidelines are presented for the treatment of red-light problems at individual intersections and within entire cities. The guidelines address countermeasures in both the engineering and the enforcement categories. The application of these guidelines should lead to the consistent and cost-effective treatment of red-light-related problems. The handbook is intended for use by traffic engineers that have been charged with the evaluation of signalized intersection safety as may be influenced by red-light violations. The procedures described in the handbook are applicable to intersections on urban streets and rural highways. The intersections can be isolated or part of a coordinated signal system.