Civic News
Data

Philly Parking Authority’s first data release: locations of red-light cameras

The data release suggests that the PPA is making a move to embrace innovation. The agency is not known for accepting change, seen most recently when on demand car service Sidecar was forced to shut down due to PPA issues.

Updated 7/15/13 5:25 p.m. to add a map of red-light cameras made with the data and to add more details on City Commissioner Al Schmidt's involvement with the data release.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has jumped into the open data movement. Its first offering: the locations of the city’s 111 red light cameras.

See the data here. Find a map of the red light cameras here in a side project from developer Tom Mount.

This data release is notable, for one, because the PPA does not answer to the mayor (it’s governed by a state-appointed board) and does not necessarily have to follow the Mayor’s Open Data Executive Order. Philly’s open data movement has seen buy-in from other non-city agencies, like the School District and SEPTA.

The release also suggests that the PPA is making a move to embrace innovation. The agency is not known for accepting change, seen most recently when on demand car service Sidecar was forced to shut down due to PPA issues. But its efforts around social media has suggested interest in changing that brand.

City Commissioner and PPA board member Al Schmidt was “instrumental” in getting the data release process started, said Chief Data Officer Mark Headd. Schmidt was appointed to the PPA board in September.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s surrounding counties are considering whether or not to install their own red light cameras.

Companies: Philadelphia Parking Authority / School District of Philadelphia / SEPTA
Engagement

Join the conversation!

Find news, events, jobs and people who share your interests on Technical.ly's open community Slack

Trending

How venture capital is changing, and why it matters

Why the DOJ chose New Jersey for the Apple antitrust lawsuit

Philadelphia healthcare nonprofit wields AI to find new uses for old drugs

This Philly founder is making generational wealth building more accessible

Technically Media