The Seattle Department of Transportation will nearly double the number of cameras providing real-time information to the city and the public by adding 57 traffic cameras this year.

“Crews are installing traffic cameras in Ballard, City Center, SODO and West Seattle this year, which will significantly address congestion when they come on-line,” Seattle Department of Transportation Director Grace Crunican said in a press release. “With more information available to our Traffic Management Center, we can immediately improve roadway conditions by remotely adjusting signal timing or bridge operations."

The public will be able to access information from these cameras at the Department of Transportation's online Traveler’s Information Map

These cameras are not to be confused with red light cameras installed at intersections to aid in ticketing.

The installation of these new closed-circuit television cameras, which will be operational by early 2010, is just one of many significant enhancements occurring this year to the city’s Intelligent Transportation System.

The system upgrades taking place now and into early 2010 will also increase the number of dynamic message signs from three to 14, add more fiber backbone connections between them and install wireless operation for some local intersections’ traffic detection.

The public will also see improvements in the Traveler’s Information Map, as it will soon be accessible via hand-held devices.

The newly installed equipment requires a testing phase once construction is complete and is expected to be in service by the spring of 2010.