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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPS 2019-01-22 Item 2D - Decision - Traffic Camera PilotCity f Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Public Safety Committee FROM: Bruce Linton, Chief ofPolice BY: Bill Devlin, Sergeant Traffic Division CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: 01/15/2019 SUBJECT: Automated Safety Camera Pilot Project Presentation ISSUE Increase public safety oOthe city roadways through enforcement and education using automated red-light cameras. BACKGROUND The most prevalent complaint from our residents is speeding on our arterials, neighborhoods and school zones. Our small traffic unit has a difficult time keeping Vpwith the increased call for enforcement. Using automated safety cameras can increase efficiencies inthe areas Oftraffic enforcement, education and the overall traffic and pedestrian safety within our city. Studies have shown that red light and speed zone cameras will make the city streets safer byreducing red light running and school speed -zone violations. Automated Safety Cameras are currently used in KinQ. Pierce, 8DOhV[OiSh' Spokane, and Chelan counties. Here in King County, there are programs in Bellevue, [)es Moines, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent' Lake Forrest Park, Mercer Island, Renton, and Seattle. ANALYSIS Red Light Cameras: Red light runningnadonaUycouseohundnadaofdeaths.haneof thousands ofinjuries andbiUionocfdoUaroinpropertvdamage. Adriver runs ared light about every 2Ominutes and more frequently during peak times. Studies show that automated safety cameras have reduced red light running, which in turn reduces the potential serious injury right angle collisions. They educate the public and that education has a spillover effect to the non - camera intersections. They will assist with increased traffic flow and increase the safety of police officers. The camera ayetenno will assist with better tracking of intersection statistics such as traffic flovvo, number of vehicles, peak hours of the days, number of cVUisiono, and tickets issued in these intersections. They will provide more efficient service with no additional FTE'a. The Po|ioa, Prosaoutor, City Attorney, Public Works, and the Tukwila Municipal Court supports the program. Studies show that nationally ahigh percentage ofthe public ioinfavor of automated red-light cameras and the Tukwila Police Department has reached out at community meetings and through social media toverify support inour area. Proposed Intersections: The proposed intersections for the pilot project were analyzed using collision data, projected violations, layout and potential design difficulty for the conlenaa system placement. The following proposed intersections are as follows: Boeing Access at Martin Luther King Jr (Southbound and Eastbound - WSDOT), Southcenter Parkway at Strander Blvd (Northbound and Westbound), and Grady at Interurban Ave South (Eastbound and Westbound - WSDOT). Companies such enAT8has worked with VVGOC)Tintersections. The Red -Light vendors will dothe installations, that iothe normal business model. 8ignogeiorequired bythe RCW and the City will install and maintain them at their expense (vendors will provide the technical assistance with the recommending placement). The cameras have a minimal power 73 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 draw and will utilize existing power. If power is not available, the vendor will bring power in and that power will then be available for other city users. These requirements are all part of the contractual agreement. The proposed Red -Light Safety Camera intersection collision statistics 2014-2016 • Boeing Access Road at MLK Jr Way S. O 21 collisions O 0 fatalities O 2 right-angle collisions with no injuries reported O 5 sideswipes O 13 rear -end collisions O 1 collision with a fixed object • Southcenter Parkway at Strander Blvd O 34 collisions O 0 fatalities O 5 right-angle collisions with 2 injuries O 15 sideswipes O 9 rear -end collisions O 5 collisions with fixed objects • Grady and Interurban Ave S. O 24 collisions O 1 fatality O 5 right-angle collisions with 5 injuries O 9 rear -end collisions O 10 collisions with fixed objects School Speed Zone Cameras: In Washington State, school zones are posted at 20 mph, recognizing the high volume of juvenile pedestrian traffic and inherent congestion and conflicts in the vicinity of our schools. Despite these controls, individual drivers continue to speed through our school zones, creating concerns among citizens. As a result of these concerns, additional measures have been taken such as highly visible crosswalks and, in some cases, flashing lights have been installed to remind drivers of the increased presence of school -aged children during school hours. Despite these controls, we continue to see violations. The police department in coordination with public works, conducted a study of speeds during school hours in the area of Foster High School and Showalter Middle School. The speed limit signs, crosswalks and other controls themselves have been ineffective. A 2016 speed analysis Westbound and Eastbound between the 4200 and 4600 block of S.144th showed average speeds of 26 mph Westbound to 28 mph Eastbound, and max speeds of 40 mph Westbound to 55 mph Eastbound with the average volume of 1,600 vehicles per day. After expressed concerns from citizens and interest by some councilmembers, the recommendation moving forward was to include the school speed -zone camera discussion as part of the overall Automated Safety Camera Pilot Project proposal and discussion. 74 W:12019 Info Memos \Info memo - Red Light and School Zone Speed Camera Updated 1152019.doc INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 Proposed School Speed -Zone Camera Location: The data presented (slide 13 and 14 of the presentation) is the basis for the location of the school speed- zone camera pilot program on South 144th Street in the vicinity of Foster High School and Showalter Middle School. The slides show compelling data over a five- day period Eastbound and Westbound of the 4600 block of S. 144th. The two cameras (Westbound and Eastbound) would be located between the 4200 and 4600 blocks of the school zone. See the attached diagram. PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS AND RETENTION Public records requests are forwarded to the city and the city can request needed information from the selected vendor. Images must be retained and accessible up through the exhaustion of the appeals process and then destroyed. VENDOR SELECTION The Police Department has drafted an RFP to select a suitable vender. The review and selection process will incorporate criteria based on experience and a broad level of service focused on past successes in other jurisdictions. FINANCIAL IMPACT Considering normal Red-light and School Zone Cameras Vendor business models, there is no upfront cost, and the per camera, per -month charge quoted is estimated at $4,500.00 to $5,000.00. These programs are self -funding and vendors normally require a 3-5-year contract to actualize their return on investment. The per -year contractual cost would be approximately $480,000.00. RECOMMENDATION Staff is seeking input from the Committee on the pilot program to be incorporated into the final ordinance that will be considered at a future Committee of the Whole and Regular Meeting. . Further, I recommend a phased process for the implementation which affords the Council an opportunity to off ramp at various junctures prior to an actual contract being signed. This affords the department to work through the multiple steps required to ensure a successful program. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REQUESTED At the end of the October 22, 2018 meeting, the council requested additional information /responses to several questions. Responses to the inquiries are outlined below: 1. Attached in the slide packet are the pictorial representations of the three intersections showing the approximate locations of the cameras. 2. Per the RCW 46.63.170 (d), Cameras can only take a picture of the vehicle plate and not the driver or the interior of the violating vehicle. 3. Use of revenue after program costs for cameras and other equipment, can be used for traffic safety programs or initiatives 4. Photos and video are maintained in the vendor cloud and regulated by The Tukwila Police Department based on our requirements. This is no different from In -Car Camera or Body - Camera video. Images and video are available through the PDR process facilitated by the police department. 5. Retention policies associated with video and photo enforcement are regulated by the WA State Retention Schedule for Law Enforcement. See slide # 8 of the attached powerpoint for the various categories. W:\2019 Info MemoslInfo memo - Red Light and School Zone Speed Camera Updated 1152019.doc 75 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 4 76 6. I intend to set a minimum time of 90 days for general retention not associated with an appeals process or case investigations or proceedings. The latter will abide by the WA State retention policy. 6. Additional information requested regarding School Speed Zone Cameras show the following: • They measure violators speed during school zone hours • They are treated the same as Red -Light Cameras as far as retention and processing • The Fines can be higher based on the violators speed measured over the posted limit ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS POSTED The traffic camera proposal and ordinance were sent back to committee and at the 3 December Committee Meeting, Chair Hougardy asked several questions. These questions with answers are listed: What is Fine in School Zones? If a Traffic Officer writes you a ticket (RCW 46.61.440 it would be the following schedule: * 0-5 MPH $214.00 * 6-10 MPH $234.00 * 11-15 MPH $296.00 * 16-20 MPH $378.00 * 21-25 MPH $480.00 * 26-30 MPH $583.00 * 31-35 MPH $685.00 * 36+ MPH $808.00 Photo Enforcement * School Zone Speed Camera Violation * 0-10 MPH $210.00 * 11+ MPH $240.00 * Red Light Camera Violation $124.00 * Fines set by RCW 46.63.170, RCW 46.63.110 W:12019 Info MemoslInfo memo - Red Light and School Zone Speed Camera Updated 1152019.doc INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 5 What times will the cameras be operational? * Usually an hour before and two hours after school, and the times can be changed, but must be accompanied by proper signage and flashing lights advising driver's that the cameras are in operation. The police department will collaborate with the school district to publish and establish times of operation for the flashing signs. At what Speed limits would the fines be enforced? Can these be changed? If so, who makes the decision and how are others notified? * RCW dictates, police have discretion. The Police Chief will collaborate with the City Council to set that threshold. Where would the cameras be placed? * Between FHS and Showalter Middle School When was the study in the referenced in the presentation conducted? We work closely with public works and are constantly gathering data, we just bought additional 8 speed/data gathering signs. The study/information gathered in the school zone (east and west bound S 144th Street between FHS and Showalter) was collected in 2016. Will the Tickets be reported to insurance companies? * No, automated enforcement tickets are treated like parking tickets and are not reportable and do not accumulate points. What other types of mitigation are available and are they being considered? * Public works have added crosswalk signs in the middle of the roadway in the 4600 block of S. 144th Street, no other traffic calming plans at this time, because plans such as pinch points, traffic circles, traffic islands, and/or speed bumps would require major construction and additional funds. What other cities have school speed zone cameras, and have they been removed and why? * The surrounding jurisdictions have school zone cameras and are only increasing, there programs as they are quite effective to reduce speeding in the school zones. Seattle has 120 School zone cameras, Renton, Tacoma, and Des Moines all have school speed zone cameras just to name a few. Tacoma has the only state's Speed zone camera as of this writing. What kind of Public outreach if any is planned before consideration of passing the ordinance? * Social media, community meetings. What kind of outreach to the school Board and School District, if any is planned before consideration of passing the ordinance? VV:I2019 Info Memos\Info memo - Red Light and School Zone Speed Camera Updated 1152019.doc 77 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 6 * Chief Linton and Sgt Devlin met with the Tukwila School District Superintendent on 7 Jan 2019 and discussed the upcoming proposal. Chief Linton met and briefed the Schoolboard on 8 Jan 2019 and is working with the School District Communications Officer for dissemination throughout the district toinclude parents and student drivers. ATTACHMENTS Povverp0/ntvvith supplemental information to include data graphs and diagrams Public Safety Committee Meeting Minuteo, Oec3. 2018. G|8Map of S.144th(Potential |A\pproxinnate Location ofSchool Zone Cameras) wA2013Info memos�/nfomemo Red Light and School Zone Speed Camera Updated 11n2019,doc 78 teteder 1 fixed object Southcenter Parkway at Strander Blvd 34 collisions: 0 Fatalities 5 right angle w/2 injuries 15 sideswipe 9 rear -enders 5 fixed objects Grady and Interurban Ave S 24 Collisions: 1 Fatality 5 Right angle w/5 injuries 9 Rear -enders 10 Fixed objects IN I Boeing Access Rd @ Martin Luther King Jr Wy - SB and EB directions Southcenter Parkway @ Strander Blvd - NB and WB directions Grady Wy @ Interurban Ave S - EB and WB directions m u \ \\ 1 The activity of enforcing laws and ordinances and citing violations (including traffic, non -traffic and vessel or vehicle -related violations). DISPOSITION AUTHORITY NUMBER (DAN) DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS RETENTION AND DESIGNATION DISPOSITION ACTION LE2010-052 Rev. 0 Automated Traffic Safety Cameras — Retain until exhaustion of appeals process NON -ARCHIVAL Citation or Notice of Infraction Issued then NON -ESSENTIAL Images captured by automated traffic Destroy. OPR safety cameras which have resulted in the issuance of a citation or notice of infraction. LE2010-053 Rev. 0 LE2010-054 Rev. 0 LE2010-055 Rev. 0 Automated Traffic Safety Cameras — Retain until verification that no infraction NON -ARCHIVAL Citation or Notice of Infraction Not Issued has been captured NON -ESSENTIAL Images captured by automated traffic then OPR safety cameras which have not resulted in Destroy. the issuance of a citation or notice of infraction. Automatic License Plate Recognition Retain until exhaustion of appeals process NON -ARCHIVAL Images — Case -Specific then NON -ESSENTIAL Images of vehicle license plates captured Destroy. OPR by automatic license plate imaging equipment and which do contain images significant to case investigations or court proceedings. Automatic License Plate Recognition Retain until verification that a significant NON -ARCHIVAL Images — Not Case -Specific image has not been captured NON -ESSENTIAL Images of vehicle license plates captured then OPR by automatic license plate imaging Destroy. equipment and which do not contain images significant to case investigations or court proceedings. w. Treated the same as RLC's w Processed the same Retention the same Fines are higher w 2 Cameras at $5,000.00 per camera, per month - $120,000.00 per year w 2 Photo enforcement signs $500.00 each - $1,000.00 2 lighted School zone signs -currently shopping for vendors Nt.4:1'" Wlkwa \\ \ peed imi signs by themselves tend to be relatively ineffective. During our analysis, we find that the 85th percentile speed (as depicted in the upcoming slides) is more than the speed limit. Flashing signage is recommended for indicating school speed zones during the active school hours. Other possible counter measures to speeding in school zones can include speed humps, raised pedestrian crossings, intersection or mid -block bump - outs, or using crossing guards. = killed by a vehicle traveling 20 mph It increases to 13% at 30 mph. The risk increases rapidly from, reaching about 52% when the vehicle speed is 45 mph. Slower vehicle speeds, mean a pedestrian has a greater chance of survival if hit, which is the benefit of the school speed zone. 000 SS 2-10_0- 1 8. (0100 Over![Sur-fir-nary Total Days of Data: 5 Speed d Limit_ 2D Average Seed: 22.28 50th Percentile 5 r eid: 21.93 85th Percentile Ste: 26.23 lame Speed Rang' 17 1e 27 Minimum Speed: 5 MaxlmumSpeed: 40 Display Status_ Mixed Display Average Volume per Day: 318.0 Total Volume: 15,40 w a-Chita-zt-= -a Ow ad a()mar 1 L__al ` *--Led 1 im Average Speed O% Sp, o1 Overall Summary otal Days of Data! 6 SReod Limit 20 Average Speed. 23.06 50th Percentile Speed: 23_47 55th Percentile Sped - 28 52 Pace Speed Range 19 to 29 -9100 C erop hoot Violaters 34 0-- Minimum Speed: 5 Maximum Speed: 55 Display Status. Mixed Display Average VDIume per Day: 272127 Total Volume: 1633.6 1 -et111 loside Threshold Vehislese Skewed Other 2-6 n f.lt,;L*1 10:U0 14110 a pd Unlit Average 57-0 Speac, a5% Speed \\\ CO CO p e JAN 21 OCT 20 JUL 20 APR 20 QUARERLY ANALYSIS MAR 21 JAN 20 QUARTERLY ANALYSIS FINAL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE UPDATE FULL IMPLEMENTATION DETERMINATION ANNUAL ANALYSIS WITH UPDATES AS REQUESTED ANNUAL ANALYSIS QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OCT19 QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAM BEGINS JUN 19 RED LIGHT CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM BEGINS BEGINS APR 19 • CONTRACT REVIEW AND COUNCIL APPROVAL MAR 19 • VENDOR SELECTION & SITE SURVEYS JAN 19 DRAFT PROPOSAL & RFP • Pup!lc Safety co. m:TTee • Community Oriented Police Citizens Advisory Board • Tukwila International Boulevard Action Committee • Tukwila School Board • School Faculty and Parents • Tukwila Reporter Newspaper • Hazelnut Publication • City of Tukwila Website linked to Police Department Website TUKWILA POLICE RED-LIGHT CAMERAS COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY CO 00 Proposed School Zone Speed Cameras 100 Public Safety Committee Minutes December3, 2018 D. Contract Amendment: BNBuilders Staff is seeking Council approval of Amendment No. 3 to Contract 18-049 in the amount of $165,100 and $100,00 contingency for demolition of the vacant buildings on the Travelodge property. Staff would like to demolish as soon as possible due to the risks associated with vacant buildings. The contractor is hoping to begin demolition in December 2018 pending utility disconnects and permits. The demolition and associated work is included in the approved Justice Center project budget. The Committee asked that the memo be updated to reflect that the City will pay a premium of around $60,000 to demolish the Travelodge now before demolishing the other buildings on site. UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. FORWARD TO DECEMBER 10, 2018 SPECIAL CONSENT AGENDA. E. 2018 Public Safety Committee Work Plan Committee members and staff discussed the status of items on the Committee work plan, which will be included in the Committee of the Whole packet for a Council year-end report. DISCUSSION ONLY. III. MISCELLANEOUS Traffic Camera Pilot Project The traffic camera pilot proposal and ordinance were sent back to Committee after the addition of a proposed school zone camera pair in the vicinity of Foster High and Showalter Middle School on South 144th. The Police Department's original proposal was forthree red light intersection cameras, but some Councilmembers expressed interest to include school zone speed cameras in the pilot. Committee members discussed the proposal. Judge Walden offered that tickets given by officers in school zones cannot be reduced, and tickets resulting from these cameras would be preferable as they can be reduced and they do not go on a permanent record. Community service is also an option in lieu of payment. She believes school zone cameras are effective at reducing speeding behavior. Chief Linton addressed outreach, stating that PD will engage with social media just as with the original proposal. He met with the new interim Superintendent and will reach out to the School Board. Chair Hougardy asked that the following questions about the school zone cameras, some of which are answered in the memo and presentation, be incorporated into a fact sheet for Council and public reference before the next meeting: 1) What is the fine amount in the school zones? Give examples. 2) At what times of the day will the cameras be operational? Can these times be changed? If so, who makes that decision and how are others notified? 3) At what speed limits would the fines be enforced? Can these be changed? If so, who makes that decision, and how are others notified? 4) Where would the cameras be placed? 5) When was the study referenced in the presentation conducted? 6) Will the tickets be reported to insurance companies? 7) What other types of mitigation are available and are they being considered? 101 Public Safety Committee Minutes December3, 2018 8) What other nearby cities have speed limit cameras in their school zones? Have any removed the cameras and why? 9) What kind of public outreach, if any, is planned before consideration of passing the ordinance? 10) What kind of outreach to the School Board and School District, if any, is planned before consideration of passing the ordinance? Chair Hougardy indicated that she had concerns about the social justice impact of school zone cameras but liked the idea of the flashing lights serving as warning as well as the fact that the fine can be reduced or substituted with community service. Councilmember McLeod stated that he was in support of moving forward with the red-light pilot and that the school zone cameras needed another touch by Committee. He asked if PD would consider removing one red light camera from the pilot. Chief Linton stated that the locations were identified based on data and complaints and the proposal is to leverage modern technology since officers can't be everywhere. His recommendation remains three intersections and one school zone speed area. Councilmember Robertson said he wants the focus to remain on safety and reducing dangerous driving behavior. The Committee agreed that the 2019 Public Safety Committee should discuss this item prior to sending it on to Committee of the Whole. Adjourned 6:38 p.m. Committee Chair Approval Summary by LH 102