By: Amy Huddleston
Times-New Magic Valley

Jerome, ID - The city of Jerome is taking pride in its new cutting-edge traffic video system, installed Tuesday on South Lincoln Street.

The first of its kind in Idaho, the two-camera system will replace the four video cameras currently attached to the stoplight near the Jerome Walmart. City crews worked throughout the day to install the cameras with Balanced Rock Electric and Intermountain Traffic LLC.

The new video system has a high-resolution digital camera that can be programmed to monitor traffic counts, vehicle turn speeds and pedestrian and bicycle crossings. Each camera includes a fish-eye lens that sees in all four directions and views two different approaches.

Walt Appell, Jerome public works director, said the existing video system was failing and needed to be replaced.

“People who use this light will start to see the results of these cameras pretty quick,” Appell said. “The video monitors how many vehicles are stopped at the light, so the stops will be quicker.”

Currently the light is set on a steady 30-second timer, regardless of traffic flow.

Located in the city’s industrial park, large trucks and trailers pass through the intersection every day on their way to Jerome’s factories and businesses. Appell said knowing the number of vehicles that drive through the stoplight each day can help the city plan future road maintenance.

Intermountain Traffic LLC representative Katie Robinson said the company has installed only 100 video systems of this caliber nationwide. “We like to call it the next generation in video detection,” she said.

The city has been working on getting the video system ordered and installed for the last month and half. Replacing the old system would have cost at least $30,000, but the new system offered better technology at a better price.

“Including labor and everything it is costing us $24,000,” Appell said. “Our goal is to get these installed on other intersections in the future, especially on Nez Pierce and South Lincoln.”