ATVES

Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System (ATVES)

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) has implemented an Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement System known as ATVES. The primary goal of the ATVES program is to provide consistent enforcement of traffic regulations in order to modify driver behavior, reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities, and improve pedestrian, bicyclist, and vehicular safety throughout the City.

Speed and Red-Light Cameras

Why do we need speed and red-light cameras?
Speeding and running red lights are leading causes of death and injury on Baltimore City roadways. Traffic cameras are a proven means of reducing speeding and red-light running, resulting in safer streets for motorists and pedestrians alike.

How are enforcement locations chosen?
BCDOT regularly evaluates traffic accidents, traffic violations, and vehicle volume counts throughout the City. Locations prone to accidents and/or traffic violations are studied to assess whether traffic cameras would positively affect roadway safety. Input from residents and city agencies is considered when deciding the locations for automated enforcement cameras; most camera locations are evaluated due to resident concerns.

How do the cameras work?
Red light cameras are connected to traffic signals to determine what cycle the light is on. The cameras capture photo and video evidence of offending vehicles during red light cycles. These include the license place and rear of the vehicle at the intersection.

Speed cameras can be either permanent fixtures or portable devices. These cameras measure vehicle speed using radar, and record photo and video evidence of vehicles going at least 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Speed cameras are online Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM year-round in school zones, but they operate around the clock in work zones and along I-83/Jones Falls Expressway (see the interstate section below).

Vehicle height monitoring system cameras are portable devices placed along truck-restricted roadways. The cameras use the height of the passing vehicle to determine if they are trucks. When a truck is detected on a restricted road, photo and video evidence of the front of the vehicle is captured, and the cab registration is recorded.

View a map to see automated camera locations.

How do you check the cameras for accuracy?
A daily self-test is performed by the photo enforcement vendor to ensure all components are working properly. Once complete, this information is then provided to the Department of Transportation ATVES Division for secondary assurance checks. In addition, all traffic cameras are audited by an outside vendor on an annual basis.

What are the fines?
Traffic camera infractions result in civil citations which must be paid in full 30 days from the violation notice date. The fines are as follows:

Speed camera fines are fixed at $40.00 per infraction.
Red light camera fines are fixed at $75.00 per infraction.
Commercial vehicle height cameras issue a warning on the first offense, a $125.00 fine on the second offense, and a $250.00 fine on the third and subsequent offenses.

Information on how to pay automated citations.

What if I don’t pay my fine?
Failure to pay a fine, request a violation review, or contest violation liability by the due date is an automatic admission of liability and may result in additional fees and/or penalties from the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration until all charges are paid in full.

Will paying citations affect my license or insurance rates?
No—traffic camera citations are civil violations and do not affect your insurance or driver's license status. You may be required to cover court costs by the District Court if you choose to contest your citation and are found guilty of the violation. Note: MVA reserves the right to refuse renewal of a registration for vehicles with over $1,000 in outstanding citations.

What does a local designee do?
This term refers to a public servant who advocates for residents and their concerns; in this case, a local designee works to review violation citations at the request of the motorist. Motorists may have a local designee review their case by emailing the ATVES Ombudsman.

How do I request a court hearing?
You may contest your citation in court by mailing a request at least 5 days before the due date on the front of your notice to:

Baltimore City Parking Fines
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

Apply to contest your citation in court. Be sure to enter your vehicle tag number or citation number, click on the citation, and then click on “Request a Trial” to begin the process.

What if I was not driving (transfer of liability)?
This applies in circumstances where you (as the registered vehicle owner) were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. You must take your citation to court to contest you were not the driver. In addition, you must write a letter that states you were not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation. The letter must be sworn to or affirmed by you. This letter must include corroborating evidence including:

Name of driver
Driver’s address

You must send this letter to Parking Fines within 30 days of the violation’s mailing date. Please note that filing for a transfer of liability does not automatically release the vehicle owner from outstanding violation fines and fees. If the driver responsible fails to pay the fines, the vehicle owner will be liable for these penalties.

Click here to send your letter to Parking Fines by email or by you can send it by certified mail with a return receipt request to:

Baltimore City Parking Fines
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

Alternatively, you may visit the Parking Fines Office and fill out a transfer of liability form in person. This office is located at:

Parking Fines
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, MD 21202

How can I obtain information on camera operations?
Citizens who wish to obtain records and documents from the Baltimore City Department of Transportation must file a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request with the agency. Maryland’s Public Information Act grants access to public records while protecting governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual citizens. Motorists who receive automated enforcement citations and wish to obtain copies of camera calibration reports should file an MPIA request by emailing Kathy Dominick.

Interstate 83/Jones Falls Expressway (JFX) Speed Camera Program

Why is the city adding speed cameras to an interstate?
The segment of I-83 within City limits (known as the Jones Falls Expressway / JFX) is owned and maintained by the City of Baltimore. The highway was built along the tight turns of the Jones Falls River, which has resulted in winding curves that are risky to motorists at high speeds. Despite our best efforts of speed limit enforcement, the highway continues to see alarming levels of reckless driving and speeding—we have recorded speeds as high as 173 MPH on I-83.

In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly authorized the operation of these cameras. Learn more about this law.

How can speed cameras help?
Speed cameras have proven to be an effective means of decreasing speeding and improving safety. The City's main objective is to lower instances of speeding along the most dangerous stretches of the interstate in order to curb the number of deaths, injuries, and crashes that occur on this busy highway.

Where are the speed cameras located along I-83/Jones Falls Expressway?
There will be 2 automated speed cameras in operation along the Jones Falls Expressway at the following locations:

Northbound I-83 at W. 41st Street
Southbound I-83 at W. 41st Street

What are the fines?
The speeding fine is $40 per violation.

Where does the money go?
In compliance with state law, speed camera revenue will first be used to cover the operation of the I-83 camera system. Any remaining funds must be allocated to I-83 safety capital improvements and maintenance.

How many cameras will operate along I-83?
In compliance with state law, the City will operate no more than two traffic cameras along the expressway at any given time. The City has installed digital speed sentry signs throughout the corridor to provide motorists with feedback on their speeds in real-time and encourage compliance with posted speed limits.

How do I pay the fines?
Automated speed camera citations may be paid by following the instructions on the mailed document or click here to pay online.

How do I contest I-83 speeding tickets?
As with regular camera citations, motorists have the option to contact a local designee for a citation review, transfer the liability of the citation, or contest the citation in District Court before a judge.

How can you be sure the cameras are working correctly?
A daily self-test is performed by the photo enforcement vendor to ensure all components are working properly. Once complete, this information is then provided to the Department of Transportation ATVES Division for secondary assurance checks. In addition, all traffic cameras are audited by an outside vendor.

Commercial Vehicle Height Cameras

Why do we need commercial vehicle height monitoring systems?
Baltimore City streets vary in terms of width, weight capacity, neighborhood composition, etc. The City uses automated commercial vehicle height monitoring to prevent trucks from using restricted roads which are not meant to handle these heavier-duty vehicles. This helps to preserve the integrity of our roads and buildings while promoting the comfort and safety of city residents. Learn more about the Commercial Vehicle Height Monitoring System and view a list of locations.

Questions or requests for exemption from Commercial Vehicle Height Monitoring citations should be emailed to ATVES.Ombudsman@baltimorecity.gov.

Where can I see a map of designated truck routes in Baltimore City?
View the city's Designated Truck Route Map.

Baltimore City Automated Traffic Violation Enforcement Map