HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOW 2021-11-08 Item 5D - Update - Automated School Zone Camera ProgramCOUNCIL AGENDA SYNOPSIS
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Initials
ITEM No.
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Mayor's review
Council review
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11/8/21
PH
ITEM INFORMATION
STAFF SPONSOR: ERIC DREVER
ORIGINAL AGENDA DATE: 11/8/21
AGENDA ITEM TITLE Update on Automated School Zone Camera Program
CATEGORY
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Mtg
Discussion
Date 11/8/21
❑ Motion
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❑ Resolution
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❑ Ordinance
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❑ Bid Award
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❑ Public Hearing
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❑ Other
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SPONSOR ❑ Council ❑ Mayor ❑ Admin Svcs ❑ DCD ❑ Finance ❑ Fire ❑ P&R
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Police ❑ PIF
SPONSOR'S Update to Council on School Zone Camera speeding violations and discussion of second set
SUMMARY of cameras along 42nd Ave. S.
REVIEWED BY ❑ Trans&Infrastructure Svcs ❑ Community Svcs/Safety ❑ Finance & Governance ❑ Planning & Community Dev.
❑ LTAC ❑ Arts Comm. ❑ Parks Comm. ❑ Planning Comm.
DATE: COMMITTEE CHAIR:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
SPONSOR/ADMIN. Police Department
CON VIII IEE Information only
COST IMPACT / FUND SOURCE
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED AMOUNT BUDGETED APPROPRIATION REQUIRED
$ $
Fund Source:
Comments:
MTG. DATE
RECORD OF COUNCIL ACTION
11/8/21
MTG. DATE
ATTACHMENTS
11/8/21
Info memo dated 11/1/21
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TO:
FROM:
CC:
DATE:
City of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
City Council Committee of the Whole
Eric Dreyer — Chief of Police
Mayor Ekberg
November 1St, 2021
SUBJECT: Update on the Automated School Zone Camera Program+
ISSUE
Increase public safety on the city roadways in school zones through enforcement and education
using automated speed cameras.
BACKGROUND
The most prevalent complaint from our residents is speeding on our arterials, neighborhoods
and school zones. Using automated safety cameras can increase efficiencies in the areas of
traffic 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 by
reducing associated violations. Specifically associated with school zones, 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. Even though posted at 20
mph, 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.
DISCUSSION
Earlier this year School Zone automated cameras were installed along S. 144th Street in the
vicinity of Foster High School and Showalter Middle School. Notifications to the public about
their installation and dates of operation went out to the public. The cameras were made active
in September of 2021, issuing warnings to school zone speeding violators for the entire month
of September. In October the cameras began issuing actual school zone speeding violations. As
a result of the notifications to the public and the warnings issued in September, a significant
decrease in speeding violations on S. 144th Street was seen in October.
September -1627 Warnings
October - 682 Tickets
With proof of concept, we are offering for discussion the addition of a second set of cameras
along 42' Ave S. The speeding violations that occur along 42 Ave S. in our school zones are
equal to or greater than the speeding violations on S. 144th Street. Additionally, there is
concern for the large number of students that must cross 42nd Ave S. to get to the schools. At
the Council's request for information about the potential proposal for adding cameras, we are
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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only offering discussion for adding the second set of cameras as part of this update. A proposal
will be forthcoming as we enter into 2022 after we can evaluate the staffing impact of the
cameras.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The revenue generated will pay for the program operational needs and school traffic and
pedestrian safety initiatives.
RECOMMENDATION
Information Only.
ATTACHMENTS
None
https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/Police/School Zone Cameras Info Memo.doc