February, 2024 Luncheon
Speaker: Brian Ceccarelli, P.E.
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024
Topic: The Yellow Signal Light - Physics, Red-Light Cameras and Engineering Malpractice
Presentation: PDF
Summary: Mr. Ceccarelli introduced this topic to ASCE in 2017. Much as happened since then. For his new presentation, he will review the physics in the Institute of Transportation Engineer's (ITE) practice of determining the duration of the yellow light. Departments of Transportation use this ITE practice. The errors and omissions in the physics cause drivers to systematically run red lights. Red-light camera firms partner with governments, who together use the power of government to exploit these errors for profit.
Departments of Transportation have been adopting the ITE practice since 1965. On March 3, 2020, he and his colleagues convinced ITE to admit that its practice was wrong. ITE published a new practice which adopts their new math equation and rebukes zero-tolerance traffic law enforcement. Most DOTs, like the NCDOT, ignore the new equation. And ITE and the NCDOT continue to inject errors and omissions making everyone run red lights.
Mr. Ceccarelli's presentation includes news of current red-light camera law suits and proposed legislation in North Carolina. We will talk about cities continuing to operate red-light cameras in spite of state engineering boards' rulings that the red-light camera engineering plans lack signature and seal of a PE and/or a firm licensed to practice engineering. We will discuss why NC courts and NCBELS still refuse to oppose a standard of care which does not rise to the requirements of NCGS 89C.
Bio: Brian Ceccarelli has a degree in physics from the University of Arizona. Ceccarelli is a licensed professional engineer. He designs and builds software for engineering and science companies. He is currently employed by the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University.
Ceccarelli became interested in traffic signal timing when the Town of Cary, North Carolina bestowed upon him a red-light camera ticket. That motivated him to research government’s obligations to conform man-made ordinances to the laws of science. Mr. Ceccarelli currently serves as expert witness in traffic signal timing and photo-enforcement in North Carolina and New York. Ceccarelli has presented this subject for the National Society of Professional Engineers, the United Kingdom's Autonomous Vehicle Symposiums, ASCE, and other venues.