Minneapolis Chooses Traffic Camera Vendor Ahead Of Citywide Speed Enforcement Rollout

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The city of Minneapolis has selected NovoaGlobal, a traffic enforcement technology company, to provide speed and red-light cameras for a pilot program set to launch in September.

The City Council’s Administration and Enterprise Oversight Committee approved the contract Monday. The agreement now moves to the full council for final approval.

Five cameras will be installed initially to automatically enforce speed limits. A public information campaign will launch in August to share the camera locations and explain how the program will work before enforcement begins.

The city may expand the program to include up to 42 cameras and add red-light enforcement. The pilot is scheduled to run through July 2029.

The city of Mendota Heights is launching a similar program.

Minneapolis: Citywide Rollout Tied To Vision Zero

Minneapolis's traffic camera program is part of "Vision Zero," the city’s initiative to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries. Officials say cameras are a proven way to reduce speeding without relying on police stops.

Key points from the Minneapolis program:

• First offense: Warning
• Fines: $40 for speeding 10–19 mph over the limit, $80 for 20+ mph
• Privacy: No photos of drivers; only license plates are captured
• No license points or insurance penalties
• Revenues must be reinvested into traffic safety improvements
• Equity requirement: Every council ward will have at least two candidate camera sites

A city survey is currently open so residents can weigh in on where the cameras should be installed and how enforcement should be prioritized.

Why Now?

Speed cameras were off-limits in Minnesota for nearly two decades. The Minnesota Supreme Court struck down Minneapolis’ original "photo cop" program in 2007, and cities were left without authority to use automated enforcement.

But that changed when state lawmakers passed new legislation allowing pilot programs under strict rules. Now, cities like Minneapolis and Mendota Heights are taking the lead.