New York City's Department of Transportation (DOT) has identified a vendor to continue managing New York City’s automated enforcement camera programs, including its red-light cameras, speed cameras, and bus lane enforcement cameras citywide, as well as cameras used to enforce weight limits on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). 

Keeping Roadway Users Safe and Protecting Infrastructure

Verra Mobility has been tasked to manage the programs and DOT will now enter into contract negotiations with the company. DOT’s automated enforcement programs have shown to be effective at changing driver behavior and making streets safer. The selection stems from a request for proposals (RFP) issued last summer and is expected to include a five-year contract.

All of New York City’s automated enforcement camera programs require state authorization and include caps on the number of locations where cameras can be sited. This previously included a stringent cap on the number of locations where red-light cameras could be installed — just 150 signalized intersections, or less than 1% of the intersections in the city. 

Ensuring Consistent Enforcement to Protect Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Drivers

Last year, the Adams administration advocated for the expansion of red-light cameras to additional locations, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation into law renewing and expanding the city’s red-light camera program to 600 signalized intersections. The city plans to begin its red-light camera program expansion this year.

According to Mayor Adams, the city will "quadruple the number of red-light cameras across the five boroughs to save lives."

“Automated enforcement cameras have proven highly effective at changing driving behavior to reduce speeding, red-light running, blocking bus-stops, and driving overweight vehicles on the BQE. We are happy to expand this work, which has been among the keys to our Vision Zero efforts to save lives on our streets,” saidDOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. 

Camera-Based Technology to Tackle New Challenges

DOT’s automated enforcement programs are designed and closely monitored by agency staff, covering thousands of cameras and sensors that help to enforce New York state laws against drivers who, among other violations, exceed speed limits and drive in or obstruct bus lanes. In 2023, New York City also became the first city in the nation to use automated enforcement sensors against overweight trucks on the BQE.

The RFP issued last summer, sought applicants with a deep understanding of automated traffic enforcement and had the expertise, experience, and financial strength necessary to improve New York City’s programs. The RFP also sought applicants that could sustain a five-year contract. 

After an in-depth evaluation of all applicants’ technical proposals, field product demonstrations, and oral presentations to an evaluation committee and technical advisors, DOT identified Verra Mobility as both having the capacity to operate large-scale camera systems and the technical capabilities to expand to newer equipment. 

As part of the RFP, the city had specifically asked companies to leverage recent innovations in camera-based technology to tackle new challenges, including the growth in obscured license plates used on ghost cars. DOT expects the selected firm to upgrade the current Automated Traffic Enforcement systems while maintaining public safety and program performance. 

Among the other features of the company’s proposal were a commitment to 32 percent minority- and women-owned business enterprise utilization and a commitment to community partnerships and education.

Automated Enforcement: Enforcing Traffic Laws 

In 2022, Governor Hochul and the state Legislature approved an expansion of the speed camera program to 24/7 operation after the Adams administration’s advocacy, leading to 30% decline in speed camera violations over the first year expanded hours were in effect. That state law is up for reauthorization in the current state legislative session.

The locations of New York City’s automated enforcement cameras are equitable and driven solely by vehicle crash and other safety and traffic data. 

Verra Mobility will continue to be paid a flat rate, and receive no portion of violation revenue; this is designed to remove incentives to over-issue violations. Every violation captured by the contractor’s enforcement cameras and sensors are reviewed by DOT staff before violations are issued. 

The city staff reviewers have the sole discretion to determine whether collected photos and videos provide evidence of a violation, and then issue and mail a violation to a vehicle owner. The New York City Department of Finance will continue to collect fine payments, as well as schedule and conduct hearings to adjudicate violations.