Minneapolis is set to bring traffic safety into the digital age with a new camera pilot program, designed to catch speeders and red-light runners. The initiative, which follows the city's commitment to reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries to zero by 2027, is a partnership with NovoaGlobal—a company specializing in advanced traffic safety solutions. As reported by the City of Minneapolis news release, the City Council's Administration and Enterprise Oversight committee has given the green light to the program, pending full council approval.
Ready to roll out this September, the pilot program will initially install cameras across five strategically chosen spots. The city aims to enlighten the public a month beforehand, unleashing an informational campaign intended to educate on camera operations and ensuing enforcement. After the program's launch, the City may pump up its scope, eventually monitoring up to 42 sites and possibly tackling red light violations as well, the pilot program running through with an eye endpoint in July 2029.
Minneapolis has been grappling with an uptick in traffic-related deaths since 2020, pinpointing excessive speed as a leading culprit. With the objective of curbing this deadly trend, city officials navigated the legislative labyrinth to pass laws permitting this fresh wave of automated enforcement. State stipulations dictate that these cameras are installed within 2,000 feet of schools, in areas marked by traffic safety concerns, and diversely scattered across neighborhoods reflecting varying socioeconomic landscapes.
Years of community engagement have shaped this pilot program. The cameras are to be positioned only after multiple consultations with those most affected—neighborhood residents. In tandem with the proposed digital monitoring, Minneapolis is also tightening the reins on speed limit enforcement, setting a cap at 20 mph for local neighborhood streets. Furthermore, efforts to ingrain traffic safety consciousness in young minds include teaching bike safety to fourth and fifth graders and actionable youth participation in policy-making, initiatives distinguished by the city's recent Vision Zero for Youth award in 2025.
