Fines are put on new rails

In Moscow, an automatic traffic camera was launched for the first time, which will monitor the rules for boarding citizens on public transport. A fine of 1.5 thousand rubles, in particular, will be imposed on drivers who do not give way to passengers who are crossing the roadway to board a tram. Experts are already pointing out a number of possible risks when administering the new composition. Meanwhile, Moscow has already tested a “smart” traffic light with a facial recognition camera, which will make it possible to hold pedestrians accountable for violations.

Drivers of vehicles, according to traffic rules, are required to give way to pedestrians boarding a bus, trolleybus or tram from the side of the roadway or landing area. On March 1, 2023, amendments came into force clarifying this rule: if at a stop in front of a car a tram stopped with the sign “Attention, passenger!” (or the silhouette of a passenger on the board), you need to stop in front of the yellow zigzag markings, and if there are none, right in front of the tram. It is allowed to continue driving only if there are no pedestrians on the roadway and after the sign has been turned off. The fine for violating the rule is 1.5–2.5 thousand rubles. according to Art. 12.8 Code of Administrative Offences.

The Moscow Department of Transport reported that the first camera (installed on Svoboda Street) has begun work, which records violations within the framework of this norm. As evidence, photographs of the offender’s vehicle will be attached to the “letter of happiness”: one before the yellow markings, the second after passing it, as well as a video (will be available upon appeal). Note that similar displays are also installed on buses and electric buses, but the rule and prohibition do not apply if passengers disembark at a sidewalk stop (stops on the roadway are usually only tram stops).

Stops in Moscow, the Department of Transport reported, are gradually equipped with raised platforms with “safety islands” (there are more than 400 of them in the city) or are designed in the form of “Vienna-type” platforms (with a raised section of the street at the place where passengers disembark). The stop on Svoboda Street was chosen due to the fact that accidents with injured passengers had previously occurred there, said Moscow Vice-Mayor Maxim Liksutov. In particular, in March 2023, two pensioners were killed getting off a tram. According to the traffic police, in January-November 2023, 2.4 thousand collisions with pedestrians occurred in the capital (+2.7% compared to the same period last year), 123 people died. Mr. Liksutov said yesterday that over time, similar cameras will appear in other places in the city.

“The problem of violating the rules of travel near tram stops is acute in many cities,” commented the innovation in the OKO association (unites manufacturers and operators of cameras). “We consider the innovation of the TSODD to be justified and aimed at increasing the discipline of drivers and the level of safety of pedestrians.” The organization said that the practice of recording violations of travel rules near tram stops using cameras exists, for example, in Australia, but trams there are equipped with cameras.

When administering violations, controversial issues may arise, says Grigory Shukhman, an expert on photo and video recording systems. “For example, a tram approaches a stop, the driver overtakes it, but there are no pedestrians on the roadway yet,” he gives an example. “If the driver approaches the tram at speed, then if he tries to brake when the sign lights up, he may not be able to make it in time.” do it where it’s supposed to be done.”

Coordinator of the “Blue Buckets” movement Petr Shkumatov points out that many drivers may not yet know that the inscription on the tram sign is equivalent to a prohibitory traffic light signal (less than a year has passed since the amendments came into force): “A more understandable solution would be to install traffic lights right at the stop, which switch when the tram approaches for the safe passage of passengers.” “Accidents involving a pedestrian do not always happen due to non-compliance with traffic rules by drivers; often pedestrians themselves do not follow the rules,” the OKO adds. “But neural network technologies do not stand still; a “smart” traffic light with a camera for facial recognition has already been tested in Moscow , which in the future will make it possible to hold pedestrians accountable for violations.”

Moscow (there are more than 3.8 thousand cameras in the city) in recent years has essentially become a testing ground for testing technologies for recording new compounds. Let us remind you that the data center was the first to automatically detect conversations on the phone while driving, drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt. The practice was subsequently adopted by other regions.

Ivan Buranov