The City of Lincoln has announced that cameras will be installed on “O” Street August 7 and 8 as part of the Downtown Corridors Pilot Project. The cameras will be installed on traffic signal arms and streetlight poles between 13th Street and Centennial Mall to evaluate curbside and traffic activity in the area.
Drivers should expect temporary lane closures in the area. A Los Angeles based software company called Automotus will install the cameras through a partnership with Park and Go. The company uses cameras to collect data on curb parking activity and compiles the information for cities to use to set policy.
“The data collected will provide us with a deeper understanding of curbside and traffic activity in one of our busiest downtown areas,” said Tony Bisesi, City Parking Manager. “This information is crucial for making informed decisions that will improve safety, accessibility and overall urban mobility in Lincoln.”
The data collection is part of a larger effort with the Downtown Corridors Project to test a new on-street parking management strategy for “O” Street between Ninth Street and Centennial Mall. The strategy will test the use of signage, increased monitoring and enforcement of the stalls to improve the ability of drivers to find on-street parking, loading, and improve short-term access to local businesses and residents.
The cameras will capture and analyze data on vehicle types and counts, length of stay, usage, stall vacancies and other parking behaviors and patterns. Additional travel mode counts will also be analyzed, including pedestrian, bicycle, scooter, skateboard and wheelchair use.
The City says the data collection ensures the privacy of individuals while providing invaluable insights into travel and parking in downtown Lincoln.