House Transportation Committee – 9:00 a.m.

The House Transportation committee held a public hearing today to discuss speed enforcement technology in work- and school-zones. Testifying first, Major Harvey Cole, the Director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol, warned the committee that current legislation would not allow the use of speed enforcement technology to help control traffic speeds. According to Cole, while it is a “noble proposal,” “existing laws make this enforcement near impossible.” Adam Tuton, the Senior Vice President of American Traffic Solutions, explained the benefits of an automated speed enforcement program. Citing the use of programs in Illinois and Scottsdale, Arizona, Tuton  assured the committee that the use of such programs would “drastically reduce speeding and hence, the number of accidents and fatalities.” Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Scott Christie and Glenn Rowe, testified last. They explained that current Commonwealth law does not allow the use of  fully automated speed enforcement. Christie stressed that the implementation of such a program would be a tool for police, not a replacement. Rowe also explained various challenges of the program, such as the legal restrictions and accuracy of the technology. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the complete story.