Attention Motorists – You can now plan stress-free rides throughout Westchester by adding the county’s traffic cameras to your list of trip planning tools.
Over the past five years, the Westchester County Department of Public Works installed a system of traffic cameras at 21 locations, primarily along the Bronx River Parkway. These cameras were originally used to ensure a rapid response to accidents and weather-related emergencies and to help synchronize traffic signals along the routes. You can access these cameras at www.westchestergov.com/trafficcamera.
Now, with the help of the county’s GIS department, the public can view the images from these cameras on the Mapping Westchester Web site. The cameras are refreshed every 5 seconds providing the latest road conditions. With just a few clicks, users can navigate through the different camera views and determine the best route for their destination. Motorist privacy will be protected by technology which cuts off image display when directed by law enforcement officials.
In addition to the traffic cameras, the GIS Department offers a variety of mapping applications that can be helpful. Such as, locating community resources near your home, finding a list of your elected officials, and whether you live in an emergency planning zone.
Recently, the county’s traffic cameras have been integrated into New York State’s official transportation information service Web site, 511NY. This merger allows motorists to check traffic and transit conditions, as well as trip planning and ride share tools throughout the state.