TOWSON, MD—In an effort to reduce truck traffic in residential areas and address long-standing community concerns, Baltimore County Department of Public Works on Wednesday announced plans to install vehicle height monitoring camera systems at seven designated residential roadway locations in southwestern and southeastern Baltimore County.

The vehicle height monitoring system is an automated enforcement tool that uses cameras and computer technology to capture violations committed by drivers of commercial vehicles operating on restricted residential roadways.

“Keeping our neighborhoods safe and roadways in good condition is a top priority in Baltimore County, and ensuring truck drivers follow height restrictions and use routes appropriate for commercial vehicles helps us in these areas,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “We remain committed to providing a responsive government and are proud to take these new steps to address longstanding community concerns regarding heavy truck traffic on our local roads.”

While Baltimore County is home to manufacturing facilities and nearby industrial centers, commercial vehicle travel can be hazardous along roadways not designed to accommodate their weight and size. In response to high volume of commercial truck traffic on local roads in southeastern and southwestern Baltimore County, the Olszewski administration in 2020 successfully advocated for legislation from the Maryland General Assembly to enable Baltimore County to implement a vehicle height monitoring system program.

“Keeping heavy trucks off of residential roads will help keep our neighborhoods safe and our roads in good shape, improving our quality of life,” said Baltimore County Councilman Todd Crandell, D7. “Thank you to County Executive Olszewski and the Baltimore County team for supporting this vehicle height monitoring program, which will help address this critical quality of life issue in southeastern Baltimore County.”

“Baltimore County’s new vehicle height monitoring cameras will help reduce heavy truck traffic in residential neighborhoods, keeping our roads safe and in good condition,” said Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young, D1. “Thanks to County Executive Olszewski, our police department, the Department of Public Works and Transportation, and all who helped to address this longstanding community issue.”

In accordance with the state legislation, the County formed the Residential Truck Traffic Work Group in September 2020 to study the program and make recommendations. Based on the Work Group’s recommendations, the Olszewski administration passed legislation to develop a vehicle height monitoring camera program.

Beginning later this month, seven vehicle-height monitoring camera systems cameras will be installed at the following locations:

• 5000-5001 Benson Avenue at I-695, Arbutus, 21227 (northbound and southbound)
• 3200-3201 Magnolia Avenue at Lilac Avenue, Arbutus 21227 (eastbound and westbound)
• 500 North Point Road at Eastern Avenue (southbound) and 1101 North Point Road at Merritt Boulevard, Dundalk, 21224 (northbound)
• 7900-7901 Wise Avenue at Lynch Road, Dundalk, 21224 (eastbound and westbound) and 8800-8801
• Wise Avenue at Grays Road, Dundalk, 21224 (eastbound and westbound)
• 2900 and 3001 Sollers Point Road at Merritt Boulevard (northbound and southbound)
• 6801 Belclare Road at Dundalk Avenue, Dundalk, 21222 (eastbound)
• 101 Avon Beach Road at Henry Street, Dundalk, 21222 (eastbound)

All cameras will be set at a height of 12 feet, with the exception of Benson Ave., which will be set at 10 feet based on traffic patterns. Locations and placement shifts may be announced as the program is monitored and analyzed to ensure effectiveness.

Vehicle height monitoring cameras will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Warnings will be issued for those in violation for the first 30 days after each camera is installed. After 30 days, fines are assessed for height violations. The fee for an initial violation will be $125, with fees for a second offense violation will not exceed $250, and fess for third and subsequent offenses not to exceed $500.

Vehicles exempt from vehicle height monitoring enforcement, include but are not limited to:

• School buses
• Public transit vehicles
• Emergency vehicles
• Trash and recycling trucks
• Utility and home energy vehicles
• Household goods moving companies

To further educate drivers, signage advising of the maximum vehicle height and the presence of photo enforcement will be clearly displayed at each location.

For more information, please visit Baltimore County’s Vehicle Height Monitoring webpage.

Photo via Pixabay