By analyzing the amount in dollars various accidents caused in the two different groups, researchers could discern if these cameras were actually cost beneficial in comparison to the cost of accidents in intersections without Red Light Cameras. Researchers in this study used the Bayes before and after method of data analysis to discern conclusions about the raw data which they received. Result showed that more costly right angle crashes did decrease in areas which used Red Light Camera Systems. However, there were a significant number of rear-end crashes in areas which used cameras in intersections. This increase of rear-end crashes raised the overall cost of implementing these systems in controlling traffic. However, the fact that they are less costly per incident that dangerous t-bone, or right angle crashes, makes the intersections with these symptoms more cost beneficial than similar intersections without red Light Cameras.

Analysis of the recorded data did show that overall, there was a crash cost benefit seen in the...

Although there was an increase in cost of the damage involved within high levels of rear-end crashes, the decrease in the numbers of more costly right angle crashes show that the cameras are actually cost beneficial. Although the study did mention that further investigation was needed, the cost benefit analysis of Red Light Cameras did prove to be beneficial overall. However, beyond looking at the cost benefit analysis of the different levels of the two types of crashes, one should also consider the cost to the human factor, involved in the situation which is not sufficiently examined in the scope of the study.
Works Cited

Council, Forrest M., BMI-SG; Persaud, Bhagwant, Ryerson University; Eccles,

Kimberly, BMI-SG; Lyon, Craig, Ryerson University. (April 2005). "Safety

Evaluation of Red Light Cameras." U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Report No. FHWA-HRT-05-048. http://ttap.colostate.edu/Library/FHWA/FHWA-HRT-05-048.pdf