ELGIN — Signs are there won't be a camera monitor snapping shots of traffic at the intersection of Randall Road and Route 72.

Changes in the intersection's traffic lights have eliminated the need for a red-light camera, which Elgin officials had proposed earlier, state officials believe.

According to Elgin Public Information Officer Susan Olafson, the city gave intersection crash data from 2005 through 2007 to the Illinois Department of Transportation and Kane County. During that time, the intersection was set up so drivers making left-hand turns could proceed through an intersection on a green light, not just on a green arrow.

Earlier this year, IDOT changed the intersection so drivers can turn left only on a green arrow, a move that IDOT feels has made the intersection safe enough that it doesn't need a camera.

Olafson said she updated council members about the matter a few weeks ago.

She said IDOT "ruled on the Route 72 and Randall Road intersection because Route 72 is a state route. Kane County Department of Transportation must rule on the city's other red light applications at Randall and Big Timber roads, Randall and Bowes roads, and Randall and Hopps roads. Those applications should be decided upon shortly."

According to Olafson, the city "began exploring red-light cameras at Elgin intersections experiencing a high volume of accidents nearly two years ago. A nationwide study of fatal crashes at traffic signals estimated that 20 percent of drivers involved failed to obey traffic signals. One study illustrates that, on average, a motorist ran a red light every 20 minutes. Red-light cameras have been shown to substantially reduce those types of red-light violations."

The plan would have the Elgin Police Department electronically validate a violation before the company, Redflex, would send out notices. Redflex would be responsible for the camera installation and photo enforcement. A violator would either pay the ticket or request a hearing in front of an arbitrator. Fines would be $100.

But those plans seem to be on the back burner. City Manager Sean Stegall said that no money was being set aside in the 2010 budget for such electronic traffic surveillance equipment.