City council briefed on camera system for traffic lights

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City Council Thursday was briefed on a system that is used to monitor intersections with cameras and computers.

The council heard from the president and CEO of Nestor Traffic Systems, Nigel Hebborn.

Hebborn detailed his firm's high-tech Crossing Guard system.

Hebborn said Crossing Guard is a combination of video cameras and computers that record and show offenses as they happen.

"You can see the vehicle both approaching and going through the intersection and it allows the police to view the entire package," Hebborn said.

Such systems don't come cheap, however, about $200,000 per intersection.

Hebborn told Council pilot funding is available from the state Department of Transportation.

Gainesville Police Chief Frank Hooper said a traffic light monitoring system would help cut down on accidents and red light violations.

Chief Hooper said he would place a traffic light monitor at a number problem areas but not Gainesville's main down town intersection at Jesse Jewell and E.E. Butler, a busy but less accident prone intersection.

MAUSOLEUM MASTER PLAN

City Council got their first look at the approved master plan for Alta Vista Cemetery's new mausoleum, that plan approved by members of the city's cemetery committee.

Assistant City Manager Tim Merritt said Gainesville's future burial needs were considered.

"We went ahead and took another step, we went back to the architect and said let's think about this thing long term," Merritt said.

City Field Services Manager Vince Evans said the $400,000 structure could be ready by next summer if bids are let early next month.

Evans estimated the average cost of a burial in the new mausoleum at $4,000.