The city of Alamosa is moving forward with plans to implement the use of Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) as a way to enforce speeding and red light violations throughout the city.
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ALAMOSA — The city of Alamosa is moving forward with plans to implement the use of Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) as a way to enforce speeding and red light violations throughout the city. More commonly called “photo cameras”, the goal of using AVIS is to reduce collisions and apply technology as a means of modernizing law enforcement.
The initial focus in implementing the system will be on enforcing speed limits. The use of cameras for red light violations with be explored at a later date in the future.
Prior to Wednesday night’s meeting, city council approved Ordinance 4-2026, authorizing use of Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS), which paved the way for planning its implementation.
A key part of the whole implementation process involves first establishing “AVIS corridors” – that is, those streets where the cameras will be installed following the analysis of speed studies and crash data.
Wednesday night, APD Chief Dingfelder briefed council members on those streets where use of the cameras is recommended by staff in consultation with representatives from the vendors of the system.
The streets – or corridors – Dingfelder identified for council included:
-Main Street (US 160) between Denver Avenue and Cielo Azul
-6th Street (US 160) between Edgemont Boulevard and Denver Avenue
-Craft Drive between Main Street and County Road 8 South
-State Avenue between Main Street and Airport Road
As was described in the council communication, the next issue was to determine the threshold (or at what speed limit over postings) to start issuing citations.
“Based on the speed studies, crash data, and traffic volume, staff recommends starting enforcement at 7 mph over the speed limit,” the communication read. “When a violation is detected using AVIS and the violation is less than 10 mph over the speed limit, a first offense may be given a warning, but shall not receive a penalty. If a second violation, or the violation is 10 mph or more over the speed limit, a penalty of up to $40 may be assessed.”
Dingfelder also explained why seven miles over was specifically chosen as the threshold, stating that data showed drivers frequently traveled 5-9 mph over posted limits and downtown corridors are pedestrian safety zones, requiring an even closer scrutiny of safe measures.
As part of his presentation, Dingfelder also provided data showing just how many vehicles speed down the identified streets on a daily basis and reinforcing the need to take some kind of preventative action.
As the data shows below, the numbers of vehicles speeding down city streets every day are pretty surprising.
Main Street - Between Bell and Alamosa Avenue (WB)
10mph over - Average 280 vehicles per day speeding
9mph over - Average 420 vehicles per day speeding
8mph over - Average 620 vehicles per day speeding
7mph over - Average 930 vehicles per day speeding
State Street - between 13th and 14th (NB and SB combined)
10mph over - Average 140 vehicles per day speeding
9mph over - Average 195 vehicles per day speeding
8mph over - Average 270 vehicles per day speeding
7mph over - Average 382 vehicles per day speeding
Craft Drive - North of Tremont Street (NB and SB Combined)
10mph over - Average 362 vehicles per day speeding
9mph over - Average 517 vehicles per day speeding
8mph over - Average 725 vehicles per day speeding
7mph over - Average 984 vehicles per day speeding
6th Avenue - Between Edison and San Juan (EB)
