Bridgeport’s AI school bus cameras aim to keep kids safe and drivers paying attention. Since last fall, Bridgeport has collected approximately $1.2 million by ticketing drivers for illegally passing stopped school buses.
“The bus ticketing program began last fall,” said Police Chief Roderick Porter, “and the goal of the program is to improve the safety of our children, as they enter and exit the school buses.”
The buses are equipped with AI-powered cameras and license readers by a company called BusPatrol, based in Lorton, Va., which earned $1.8 million in the same time period.
Earlier reports had the total figure pegged at $5 million but did not take into account that unpaid or contested tickets, according to Ryan Monell, senior vice president for BusPatrol.
“The way the contract works is we provide a public safety solution to municipalities that is violator-funded,” he said. “The taxpayer doesn’t have to put up funding.”
The company installs cameras free of charge. It invests $10,000 per bus. Bridgeport has 245 buses in its fleet.
Monell said BusPatrol puts together an “evidence package” that includes three still images, three videos, the registration information on the vehicle involved, a time stamp and a location stamp.” The package is reviewed by a public safety team made up of law enforcement officers, which determines whether or not to ticket a violator.
BusPatrol then prints a violation ticket that is mailed to the car owner on behalf of the city and hosts the infrastructure through which violators either pay the $250 fine online or by mail.
“We also help the city facilitate a tribunal if the violation is contested,” said Monell.
The company operates more than 500 programs across the country. Bridgeport’s program is just a year old. Monell said that after the first year the number of violations has decreased as drivers learn the hard way.
Other Connecticut municipalities are following Bridgeport’s lead. “Shelton will be launching a program this year and Danbury as well, he said, adding that BusPatrol is planning to open an office in Bridgeport.
“Ultimately the goal is voluntary adherence to the ordinance,” said Porter. “We will be evaluating the effectiveness of the program in the near future.”
From FCN partner Easton Courier.
