HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSS 2022-09-12 Item 1B - Motion - Additional School Speed Zone CamerasCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
CC:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Community Services and Safety Committee
Eric Drever, Chief of Police
Mayor Ekberg
September 6, 2022
School Speed Zone Camera – Proposal
ISSUE
The pilot School Speed Zone Camera program has effectively reduced speeding violations on
S. 144th Street in the school zone in front of Foster High School and Showalter Middle School.
The Police Department is seeking to also reduce speeding violations near Foster High School,
Showalter Middle School, and Thorndyke Elementary School on 42nd Ave S. by placing Speed
Zone Cameras in the school zones there, as well.
BACKGROUND
Speed Zone Cameras were installed in the school Zone in the 4400 block of S.144th Street. The
cameras were operational on September 1, 2021. There was a one-month grace period
between September 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021. Only Warnings were given during this
time. Since October 1st, 2021, the cameras have been live and issuing notice of infractions for
violations. The effectiveness of reducing speeding violations has been significant with a 59%
reduction in violations by the end of the school year.
DISCUSSION
The School Zone Speed Cameras have been successful in reducing speed in school zones
near Foster High School and Showalter Middle School. As expected, numbers of daily
infractions were reduced from 704 to 288 from October 1,2021 until the end of the school year
in June 2022. Studies done for the proposal that led to the installation of the current Cameras
showed slightly more speeding violations on 42nd Ave S. as compared to S. 144th Street.
However, it was decided at the time to move forward with only a single set of cameras to begin
the pilot program, and cameras on S. 144th street would cover a school speed zone with two
schools, having greater impact. The success of reducing speeders in the current camera school
zones on S. 144th St., suggests expanding the systems to the West side of Foster High School
on 42nd Ave S and continuing South on 42nd into the 15000 block to take into consideration
Thorndyke Elementary would increase safety for our students by reducing speeding violations
there, as well. (Four cameras to cover two locations on 42nd Ave S.)
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Cost for PD Processing
Currently the PD is authorized to staff a commissioned officer to process the school zone
camera violations; however, this position has not been filled, as the PD has been able to absorb
the work associated with these cameras. The PD could potentially take on the workload of a
few more cameras before we would need to add the position. One full time traffic officer would
cost $143,435.00, (2022 estimated salary and benefits). The School Zone Cameras currently in
place would continue to absorb this cost.
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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https://tukwilawa.sharepoint.com/sites/mayorsoffice/cc/Council Agenda Items/Police/School speed zone cameras/School Zone Camera 42nd Ave S Info-
Memo.docx
Cost for processing for Courts
The Courts have 2.25 FTE’s in place with costs being covered currently by the school speed
zone cameras. Court Staff believe that the current staff would be sufficient to process park
zone violations as well.
Fees from Novoa Global
Pricing for the Novoa Global School Speed Zone Camera System is as follows $2,999.25 per
camera system, per month, currently we have two camera systems for a monthly total of
$11,997.00 per month. (4 x $2999.25= $11,997.00). This cost is covered by the program and
does not create new expenditures.
Revenue
Gross revenue from the cameras for the 2021-2022 school year was $344,135.40 in paid fines
and another $301,319.60 fines that are due. The Courts are currently working on amending the
TMC to allow for late fees along with their deferrals, as opposed to sending unpaid fines to
collections. Where the recommended two locations on 42nd Ave S. cover traffic along the same
street, we anticipate the revenue generated to match that of the cameras on S. 144th Street for
an estimated $344,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION
The Police Department recommends that the Council approve the expansion and installation of
School Speed Zone cameras to include the locations on 42 nd Ave S. and move forward to the
September 26, 2022 C.O.W. and October 3, 2022 Regular meetings.
ATTACHMENTS
2019 Radar Study for S 144th St. and 42nd Ave S.
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Total
Violations
>25mph
Total
Vehicles %
Total Violations
>25mph $$$$40% - decrease
Radar 5 NB AM Total 1282 3001 43%269,220.00$ 107,688.00$
Wk 1: 10/7/19 - 10/11/19 669 1558 43%
Wk 2: 10/14/19-10/18/19 613 1443 42%
Radar 5 NB PM Total 2108 4081 52%442,680.00$ 177,072.00$
Wk 1: 10/7/19 - 10/11/19 1177 2243 52%
Wk 2: 10/14/19-10/18/19 931 1838 51%
Radar 6 SB AM Total 828 2276 36%173,880.00$ 69,552.00$
Wk 1: 10/7/19 - 10/11/19 437 1173 37%
Wk 2: 10/14/19-10/18/19 391 1103 35%
Radar 6 SB PM Total 3082 5521 56%647,220.00$ 258,888.00$
Wk 1: 10/7/19 - 10/11/19 1,729 3,100 56%
Wk 2: 10/14/19-10/18/19 1353 2421 56%
Grand Total 7300 14879 49%1,533,000.00$ 613,200.00$ Total $$ Violations ($210/violation)
Covid Estimates -40%4380 8927.4 49%3,066,000.00$ 1,226,400.00$ Monthly
24,528,000.00$ 9,811,200.00$ Annual = 8 months
17,169,600.00$ 6,867,840.00$ 70% Collection Rate
17,025,600.00$ 6,723,840.00$ Net Annual Income less Cost to NG - 12K/mo
Notes: Fines 210 (5-10 mph) and 240 (11 mph)
Cameras lease fee pro-rated out to $2999.99 per month
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