Portland Expands Vision Zero Efforts Through New Speed and Intersection Camera Contract

In a bold move to reduce traffic fatalities, the City of Portland has awarded a new contract to NovoaGlobal to manage and expand its Speed and Intersection Safety Camera Program.

The initiative—part of Portland’s Vision Zero strategy—aligns with a 2024 PBOT report noting that 70% of deadly crashes occur on just 8% of city streets.

Speed and Intersection Cameras Lead Portland Infrastructure Project

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), in partnership with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), confirmed on August 4 that NovoaGlobal will now serve as the exclusive supplier and operator of Portland’s automated traffic enforcement system.

The contract includes:

• 32 current camera sites, including 15 speed cameras and 17 intersection units

• Two mobile enforcement vans

• Five new camera locations, with installation underway or planned through January 2026

Work to upgrade existing systems is expected to be completed by November 1, 2025, while additional sites on SE Powell and SW Barbur Boulevards are in design or pre-installation phases.

Why Speed Camera Expansion Matters

Speeding remains the leading contributor to traffic deaths in Portland.

Data from PBOT shows that even minor increases in speed greatly increase fatality risk:

• A pedestrian hit at 20 mph has a 20% chance of severe injury or death

• At 40 mph, that risk rises to 80%

The data-driven expansion targets Portland’s High Crash Network—a limited set of corridors that account for the overwhelming majority of fatalities.

“This technology is more than enforcement—it’s about prevention,” said Sarah Chang, PBOT’s Traffic Safety Division lead.

“It directly supports our goal of zero traffic deaths.”

Technology with Proven Results

Since launching speed camera enforcement in 2016, Portland has seen remarkable reductions:

• 59% drop in speeding at camera locations

• 88% reduction in high-speed violations

• 22% decrease in prevailing speeds since 2015

Recent studies support Portland’s results. A Cochrane review found that automated enforcement cuts total crashes by up to 49% and serious injury crashes by up to 44%.

Enforcement Impact and Expansion Timeline

Community Support Drives Momentum

Public opinion in Portland continues to back automated traffic enforcement:

• 82% support intersection safety cameras

• 76% support speed safety cameras

• 72% support mobile van enforcement

PBOT’s 2024 public survey, involving nearly 2,000 Portlanders, confirmed that traffic safety remains a top concern across all city neighborhoods.

“We’re responding to what communities have told us they need—safer streets and smarter enforcement,” said Deputy Chief Maria Reynolds of the Portland Police Bureau.

Vision Zero Through Smart Enforcement

The partnership with NovoaGlobal represents a strategic evolution. The firm’s track record in U.S. cities such as Tacoma and Beaverton shows how advanced systems reduce fatalities without increasing officer workload. All revenue from citations and diversion class fees is reinvested into the safety program.

In addition to enforcement, Portland’s integrated Vision Zero approach includes:

• Roadway redesigns

• Speed limit reductions

• Education and outreach initiatives

This multifaceted plan has allowed PBOT to tackle not just behavior but the environmental conditions that contribute to severe crashes.

How This Shapes Our Communities

Portland’s investment in smarter traffic enforcement technology sends a clear message: safety is non-negotiable.

As camera coverage expands and data confirms its impact, more neighborhoods—especially those along the High Crash Network—can expect meaningful improvements in livability, pedestrian safety, and mobility.

Sources: PBOT, Oregon.

Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.