Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) is a safety focused system that uses cameras and sensors to automatically detect and record vehicles that run red lights at intersections.
In line with Pittsburgh’s Vision Zero goals, ARLE is recognized as an effective and proven treatment for increasing safety of all road users at intersections. ARLE additionally has the benefit of extending the capacity of public safety officers who are not able to be everywhere at every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, ARLE is legal in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Explore PA Vehicle Code 75 § 3117 to learn more about the enabling legislation. The state requires municipalities that want to stand up an ARLE program to also go through local authorization. Bill 2024-0792 provides the first of several necessary steps in standing up an ARLE program.
Only vehicles that enter the intersection and proceed through will receive a citation. If a vehicle enters during the yellow or green phase and completes movement during the red phase, a citation will not be issued.
According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as of July, 2024 - 4 communities in the commonwealth have ARLE. They are:
Per State Code, all ARLE intersections must be approved by PennDOT. DOMI will identify locations through a data-driven approach based on safety need as well as being informed by the Pittsburgh High Injury Network. Some further variables that will be considered during the selection process include previous reported red light running crash percentage, angle crash percentage, vulnerable road users’ concentration, aggressive driving behavior, age and visibility of the signal system along with yellow interval.
Yes. The intersections will have Signage notifying drivers of camera enforcement installed on the approach. This is required by Commonwealth law.
Yes, as required by State Code there will be a 60-day warning period at the first operational ARLE location before issuing fines. Then there will be 30-day warning period for the each of the subsequent ARLE locations before issuing fines. Information regarding all location activation dates and warning periods will be clearly shared to the public by the City of Pittsburgh.
$100 with possible late fee accruals. According to the Commonwealth of PA law, a municipality cannot collect an amount equal to or greater than 5% of its annual budget through this program.
No. Safety is the only priority of this enforcement system.
The City of Pittsburgh has benefitted from these grant funds for signal upgrades estimating $1.7M since 2021.
Per State Code, these tickets are treated like a parking infraction. There is no impact on license or insurance.
If someone else is driving your registered vehicle and runs the red light, you can appeal the ticket. This is a defense to an ARLE violation under Commonwealth law, that the person named in the notice of the violation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. The owner may be required to submit evidence that the owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation. The City may not require the owner of the vehicle to disclose the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the violation.
Yes. Parking Authority will manage the appeals process. The process will be clearly outlined on violations mailed out.
Yes, the engagement information will be available on this page as dates and events are finalized in the future days.
The technology does not include facial recognition software. Images/video are recorded 2 seconds before, during and 2 seconds after an infraction is triggered.
Recorded images obtained through the use of automated red light enforcement systems shall be destroyed within thirty (30) days of final disposition of any recorded event.
No, Commonwealth legislation only allows ARLE for the sole purpose of capturing red light running infractions.
Any vehicle that is required to carry license and registration by state law will be enforced through this system.
2026 ARLE Installations:
Selection factors:
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety red light cameras reduced the fatal red light running crash rate by 21%.
In 2022 over 100,000 people were injured and 1,149 people were killed nationwide in Red Light Running Crashes. Half of those killed were vulnerable road users.
From 2019 to 2023, 759 crashes were reported in the City of Pittsburgh due to drivers running through red lights with 7 of those crashes being fatal.
300+ U.S. Cities use Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) systems.
The FAQ's section will be periodically updated from these questions.
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last updated: 08/12/2026