Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Transit (LBT) is launching a pilot program to determine bus stop parking violations on high density corridors along 2nd Street, Redondo Avenue and Belmont Shore in collaboration with Bay Area-based company, Hayden AI. Starting Monday, July 2, 2024, the 60-day pilot aims to assess the frequency of parking violations at bus stops along these routes.
Vehicles parked in bus stops pose various safety risks, forcing customers to walk into active travel lanes to board the bus. This issue is particularly challenging for customers with disabilities, as blocked bus stops prevent the safe deployment of wheelchair ramps.
“Vehicles blocking bus stops is a frequent problem and we are committed to finding solutions to keep bus stops clear for everyone’s safety,” said Kenneth A. McDonald, President and CEO. “We’re excited to pilot technology that has successfully changed driver behavior and improved bus stop access in cities across the country.”
For this pilot, LBT has installed camera systems on two buses serving routes 121 and 131. Positioned behind the windshield, these cameras focus exclusively on vehicles parked at the curb, ensuring customer privacy, and will not capture footage inside the buses.
Automated street lane and bus stop enforcement with mounted cameras have proven effective in New York City and Washington, DC. In New York, this technology improved bus speeds by 5% and reduced collisions by 20%, on average.
No citations will be issued during this pilot program. The primary objective is to assess the frequency of parking violations. Based on the data collected, LBT will determine appropriate actions at a later stage.
About Long Beach Transit
Long Beach Transit is dedicated to connecting communities and moving people, making everyday life better by providing transportation services in Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, as well as Artesia, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Norwalk, Paramount and Seal Beach. For more information, visit www.ridelbt.com.