The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday said it will start issuing violations to drivers who park in bus lanes, which could result in a ticket from the city Department of Transportation.
The MTA said it will soon start its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program on bus routes across the city, including in Brooklyn, according to a news release.
The ACE program captures vehicles violating bus lane, double parking, and bus stop rules in real-time via camera. Brooklyn routes now enforced with ACE cameras include B44 SBS, B46 SBS, Bx12 SBS, Bx19, B62, Bx41 SBS and Bx36.
When enforcement cameras are activated, on average, routes see bus lane speeds increased by 5%, a 20% reduction in collisions, and a 5% to 10% estimated reduction in emissions. Only 9% of drivers commit another bus lane violation after being fined.
All 623 buses on the 14 routes that are currently enabled with lane enforcement technology have now been updated with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence-based enforcement technology that will allow for expanded enforcement at bus stops and double-parked locations, according to the press release.
“ACE is key to getting buses running faster and safer for the riders who rely on them to get where they need to go,” said New York City Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow.
The ACE program is administered in partnership with the city DOT and the New York City Department of Finance. Once captured by the cameras, license plate, location and time stamp information is then transmitted to NYCDOT for review and processing.
