As reported in the Houston Chronicle, a new breed of  red-light camera is stealthily being installed by the city fathers in order to raise revenues. Surely, there are not that many accidents to justify the unprecedented use of  the cameras at more than 50 intersections. The cameras are bi-directional and can trap violators approaching from the opposite direction.

Other items of issue include public disclosure and the fee arrangement with the camera's vendor, American Traffic Solutions.

According to the Chronicle...

"The move to add more cameras, which had not been publicly disclosed, appears to conflict with the terms of a contract the City Council approved in 2006 with American Traffic Solutions Inc., the private company that installs and monitors the cameras."

"That agreement includes payment arrangements with the company for a total of 50 intersection "approaches," or cameras monitoring specific directions at a location. "

But did the city fathers move at warp speed to avoid the new Texas State law which takes effect in a few days that may have required the city to complete expensive traffic engineering studies prior to installing the cameras?

Again, quoting from the Chronicle...

"But department officials said Tuesday that they long had planned to increase the number of cameras at some locations, and they denied the contract limited that total to 50 intersections."

"These are different approaches at those same intersections," said Executive Assistant Chief Martha Montalvo, who supervises the program."

"Montalvo said the decision to add the new cameras had nothing to do with a new state law, which takes effect Saturday, that could require some cities to do engineering studies at new locations."

It's about safety, not money... the common refrain of city officials when confronted by angry citizens who feel that the city is out to make a buck rather than make them safer on the road.

"[Montalvo} also dismissed a common complaint that the new cameras were intended to generate more revenue, even as the new law requires that a portion of the fines go to a regional trauma center fund."

"This is not about revenue," she said. "This is about changing the behavior and public safety."

"Montalvo said late Tuesday that she was not aware of any briefings to

council members about the new cameras. But she said Police Chief Harold Hurtt had planned to make an announcement later this week."

The program seems to have its doubters...

"Randall Kallinen, a lawyer who complained about the cameras before the council Tuesday, said he doubts safety motivated the department to increase the number of cameras at the intersections."

"The idea for the red-light cameras is to pick the problem areas," he said. "Is it a problem in one direction, or both directions?"

Do it fast before the state law requirements become effective on September 1, 2007.

"HPD's acknowledgment of the new cameras comes as the council is expected Wednesday to consider state-mandated changes to the camera ordinance."

"A newly worded ordinance would defer much of the administrative procedures for managing the camera system to a new state law. The law requires the city to issue citations to motorists who turn illegally at monitored intersections."

Only motorists who do not fully stop and yield to traffic and pedestrians before turning on red would be cited, police have said.