Automated Work Zone Enforcement in Pennsylvania Reduced Speeding by 10.7 Percentage Points and Excessive Speeding by 2.3 Percentage Points.
Statewide Pilot Program Made Permanent After Being Found Effective in Reducing Speeds in Work Zones.
Pennsylvania, United States
Case Study of Pennsylvania’s Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program
Summary Information
Speed safety cameras (SSCs) are a proven safety countermeasure to reduce speeds and crashes. In 2018, the Pennsylvania State legislature authorized a five-year Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program, which, after evaluation and demonstrated success, was made permanent in 2024. Implemented by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), the program’s goal was to reduce speeds in works zones, improve driver behavior, save worker and traveler lives, complement existing enforcement, and promote overall work zone safety.
METHODOLOGY
Work zone SSCs have been in operation throughout Pennsylvania since April 2020. The state has 17 SSC units, with ten units for PennDOT roadways and seven for PTC roadways. Each SSC unit is deployed on an 8-hour shift, with up to two shifts daily. Work zone selection is based on a data-driven process, and an annual program effectiveness assessment is required by the state legislature.
FINDINGS
- In the first three years (2020 to 2022) during the typical construction season of April to October, the percentage of vehicles over the speed limit fell from 27.95 percent to 17.24 percent.
- Similarly, the percentage of vehicles speeding excessively (11-plus mph over the limit) fell from 4.97 percent to 2.62 percent.
- In the first four years (2020 through 2023), the program had a 16.9 percent repeat offender rate across over 1.5 million total violations issued.
