Rancho Cucamonga, CA Selects Nestor's CrossingGuard for Video-Based Automated Red Light Enforcment; City Chooses Advanced Video Technology Over Still Film
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--March 20, 2001--Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc., an affiliate of Nestor, Inc. (OTC: NEST), today announced that the City Council of Rancho Cucamonga, California voted unanimously in favor of awarding a contract to the Company for its CrossingGuard(R) video-based automated red light enforcement system. The Rancho Cucamonga City Council selected CrossingGuard based on its advanced video technology, unique features and safety benefits. CrossingGuard represents the next generation of automated enforcement by using video to monitor and detect violations, to record violation images, to transmit digital images electronically, and to issue citations. It is also the first solution to offer a safety-enhancing feature that can actually help to prevent intersection collisions."We thoroughly evaluated our options and chose Nestor's CrossingGuard because of the extensive benefits that its video technology offers," said Duane Baker, assistant to the city manager of Rancho Cucamonga. "Compared to still film solutions that offer only a few images of a violation, CrossingGuard's video evidence is like an instant replay of what actually happened. With this level of fair and objective evidence and the unique safety feature, we believe we've selected the best solution to help us enhance our enforcement efforts, raise public awareness, and improve the safety of our intersections."
According to research recently announced by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), California had the eighth highest rate of fatal red light running crashes in the country, with 956 fatalities over a six-year period - averaging almost 160 fatalities a year.
"CrossingGuard is well on its way to establishing video as the new automated enforcement technology standard," said David Fox, Nestor's president and CEO. "More and more cities are recognizing that CrossingGuard's video evidence can gain greater community support because of the level of fairness it provides; law enforcement can stand behind the evidence they are reviewing; and the safety feature delivers a direct safety benefit to help improve intersection safety."
IIHS research reports that more than 800 people die and an estimated 200,000-plus are injured in crashes that involve red light running. More than half of those killed were pedestrians and occupants in other vehicles who were hit by red light runners. Nationwide, fatal crashes at traffic signals increased 18% during 1992-98, more than three times the rate of increase for all other fatal crashes. Institute research has found that automated enforcement programs have proven to reduce red light running by about 40%.
Developed specifically to address the overwhelming problem of red light running, CrossingGuard uses advanced video-processing technology and video cameras to detect and track vehicles as they approach an intersection. If a violation is predicted, not only does CrossingGuard record and save images of each vehicle just before and during the violation, but it also sends a signal to the traffic controller to briefly extend the red light for cross traffic while the violator runs the light. For each red light running incident, CrossingGuard records a brief video sequence of the violation - often from multiple camera angles. CrossingGuard also records close-up color images of both the front and rear license plates of the vehicle as well as the driver's image if it is a legislative requirement of the city or town.
About Nestor Traffic Systems
Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc., an affiliate of Nestor, Inc. and headquartered in Providence, RI, is an emerging leader in providing innovative, video-based monitoring systems and services for traffic management and safety. Its products incorporate Nestor's patented neural-network technology into intelligent, real-time solutions that promote traffic efficiency, intersection safety, and railway grade crossing monitoring by enabling better roadway utilization, planning and management. All products are sold direct and by selected partners worldwide. For more information, call 401-331-9640 or visit www.nestor.com
CrossingGuard is a registered trademark of Nestor Traffic Systems, Inc. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
