MAC Traffic Cams to be Installed

[icejammer]

Traffic cameras to eye MAC area

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency on Thursday approved the purchase of five cameras to be installed at selected intersections on 23rd Avenue and South 24th Street up to Interstate 29/80.

"The cameras will monitor traffic at all locations," Reeder said.

What's more, the cameras will have the technology to feed their videos back to computers in his office, Reeder said, as well as the 911 communications center, the local Iowa Department of Transportation office or the Public Works Department Traffic office.

Officials there will be able to assess the situation and send more resources to certain areas if needed, Reeder said.

The cameras will be on 24 hours and can be useful for traffic accidents, he said. In many cases, the first officer on the scene understandably is concerned about the injured parties and not focusing on the traffic situation or whether tow trucks are needed until later or when other officers arrive, Reeder said.

That's where these cameras will come in handy, he said.

"We can look and see what resources will be needed," Reeder said. "It's a way to get information more quickly, a way to get back to normal traffic more quickly."

[icejammer]

Council approves traffic monitoring cameras

The Council Bluffs City Council Monday night gave its approval for Mayor Tom Hanafan to purchase traffic monitoring cameras to help reduce traffic congestion at major events at the Mid-America Center and the nearby casinos.

The cameras, with pan/tilt/zoom capabilities, will be installed at the following five intersections: Nebraska Avenue at the Interstate 29 interchange, South 33rd Street and 23rd Avenue, South 29th Street and 23rd Avenue, South 24th Street and 23rd Avenue and South 24th Street and the I-29 interchange.

City officials would be able to monitor traffic with the cameras and make immediate adjustments to traffic lights to allow vehicles to leave the area more quickly. The video from the cameras will be viewed in several city and state buildings through the use of fiber optic communications.

[MTO]

IMO this is a great idea. It makes me feel more comfortable knowing if something happens it can be seen and taken care of faster. Of course I have nothing to hide or to be paranoid about either.

[icejammer]

Not new, but improvements (supposedly)...

Intersections to Get Traffic Management Cameras

The City Council Monday approved a change in the agreement between the city and the Iowa Department of Transportation on the cost of installing five traffic management cameras along the South 24th Street/23rd Avenue/Nebraska Avenue corridor from Interstate 80 to Interstate 29.

The project also provides fiber optic communications from the cameras to City Hall and the local DOT maintenance facilities. . .

The amendment the council approved revises the funding responsibilities so that the state will pay $305,000. The city is responsible for the costs associated with construction administration estimated at $30,000. . .

[icejammer]

City Council takes action on traffic cameras

The Council Bluffs City Council Monday night set a public hearing for Feb. 25 for the implementation of a video camera system to monitor traffic near the Mid-America Center.

The ability to monitor traffic will assist in traffic management during arena events and crash incidents, as well as during the planned interstate reconstruction.

The Federal Highway Administration has designated federal funding.

Five pan/tilt/zoom cameras are proposed to be installed at the intersections of Nebraska Avenue and the Interstate 29 interchange; South 33rd Street and 23rd Avenue; South 24th Street and 23rd Avenue; South 24th Street and the Interstate 29/80 interchange; and South 24th Street and U.S. Highway 275.

[icejammer]

Council OKs cameras

The Council Bluffs City Council Monday night approved the installation of cameras by the Interstate 29/80 stretch around the Mid-America Center to assist in traffic management. . . .

Public Works has requested the installation of these cameras at five busy intersections: Nebraska Avenue and the I-29 interchange, South 33rd Street and 23rd Avenue, South 24th Street and 23rd Avenue, South 24th Street and the I-29/80 interchange and South 24th Street and U.S. Highway 275.

The planned reconstruction of the interstate down the road could put more traffic on city streets, according to City Engineer Greg Reeder. The same goes for the reconstruction of the South 24th Street Bridge over the interstate, as well as special events at the MAC. . . .

These cameras will not be used as law enforcement tools, Reeder said. . . .

Basically, these cameras would be used if there were a need - especially if the South 24th Street Bridge had to be closed or restricted because of construction.