City to install traffic cameras, collect data for potential roadway improvements

Las Vegas officials on Wednesday approved a plan to install radar and camera systems at a dozen intersections as part of a study for future roadway improvements.

City spokesperson Jace Radke said the pilot program will not retain images or video of license plates or drivers, nor will it be used to issue citations.

Instead, data collected through the program will be used to help the city identify engineering solutions to address the rise in deadly crashes on its roadways, he said.

All seven council members voted to approve the project. Installation is expected by the end of the year.

The initial phase of the study will not include any signage indicating that the intersections are monitored, functioning as the control group. After a certain period, Radke said, signs will be installed to observe changes in human behavior when warning signs are introduced.

‘Not Flock cameras’

Still, Radke said, “these are not Flock cameras,” distinguishing the technology from the automatic license plate readers that Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill previously tried to implement throughout the valley.

According to a city blog post, the cameras will collect data including the time a vehicle passes through an intersection, its type — such as a truck, car, van or bike — and its speed. After the data is logged, the footage will be immediately deleted, according to Radke.

Under Nevada law, the government cannot use photographic, video or digital equipment to gather evidence to issue a traffic citation, unless it is a recording device worn by an officer or is installed within a law enforcement agency facility.

Last year, McMahill discussed the pilot program with Las Vegas Review-Journal reporters, noting that it would have a narrower scope than the one he had proposed to legislators in 2025.

“I believe these things work, but they’re not a popular thing to actually have,” McMahill said in December. “And quite frankly, I believe we made a mistake in the approach that we took, which was far too many cameras.”

The city program will implement radars at 12 intersections in its jurisdiction, with the following tentative locations:

— Bradley Road from Ann Road to Tropical Parkway.

— Centennial Parkway and Michelli Crest Way.

— Torrey Pines Drive and Hyde Avenue.

— Bonanza Road and Honolulu Street.

— Rancho Drive and Oakey Boulevard.

— Las Vegas Boulevard and Charleston Boulevard.

— J Street from Lake Mead Boulevard to Jimmy Avenue.

— Hualapai Way and Charleston Boulevard.

— Del Webb Boulevard and Rampart Boulevard.

— Decatur Boulevard and Ann Road.

— Fort Apache Road and Sahara Avenue.

— Vegas Drive and Decatur Boulevard.

The program will cost $402,080.