Court Gives Phila. Parking Authority OK to Switch Red-Light Camera Vendors
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has given the green light to a conversion of Philadelphia's red-light camera program.
Today, the judges tossed out a lawsuit filed by the company that installed the original cameras.
American Traffic Solutions had installed more than 100 red-light cameras at more than two dozen locations around the city.
But the Philadelphia Parking Authority last year decided to install newer cameras and awarded a new contract to Xerox (see related story).
ATS took the matter to court, and today a panel of judges in Commonwealth Court rejected the firm's attempt to stop the new contract.
"I am gratified with the Commonwealth Court's unanimous ruling," said Parking Authority executive director Vince Fennerty, "and we are going to continue to proceed with the removal of the ATS equipment at red-light sites throughout the city, and with the installation of the new Xerox equipment."
Fennerty say the Xerox system is less expensive, and uses better technology.
"The picture clarity is better, and this newer, radar-utilized equipment has a better detection mode," he said.
He says all locations will have the new cameras by August.
A spokesman for ATS says the firm is disappointed with the ruling but will continue to abide by the terms of the contract. As to whether ATS will appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, he said only that the decision is "being reviewed."
