Traffic camera system will expand

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The District signaled it will expand its automated traffic enforcement program by extending its contract with the company in charge of the city's red- light and speed camera technology.

By July, the Metropolitan Police Department said it wants to add five new fixed-location speed cameras to the five already in use, increase red light cameras from 39 to 50 and deploy two new vans to nab speeders in road construction zones.

The expansion of the program comes after the District awarded contract extensions to ACS State and Local Solutions Inc. for approximately $4.4 million to process tickets, and $7.8 million to continue running the District's speed and red light cameras.

The latest agreement with ACS, approved earlier this month, also keeps in place a compensation plan enacted recently that is unpopular with the AAA Mid-Atlantic motor club and some transportation experts.

The pay plan provides ACS a fixed monthly fee of $651,735, but it includes extra money for the company if the number of citations it issues exceeds 53,750 per month.

ACS can earn an extra $19,500 to $23,000 for every group of 2,500 citations above the threshold.

"Up until now we have not reached that threshold," Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Kevin Morison said yesterday. "Once we complete the current expansion, we anticipate that will happen."

Some observers say such arrangements undermine public support for the camera program by raising questions about whether safety or profits drive the use of the technology.

Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration issued a report on red light cameras, discouraging the practice of paying contractors based on the volume of citations.

"Compensation should be provided solely on the value of the equipment or the services provided," the federal report stated.