Engineering. Traffic Division Involvement. Two Locations in Lynnwood. Disclaimer. Design Constraints: 12/4/2013

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1 Traffic Division Involvement Engineering-Create Design Constraints, Locate Signs, Contribute to Problem Resolution. Technical-Program Schedule for Beacons, Maintain: Beacons, Pedestrian Push Button Crossings, and Signs. Paul Coffelt, PE City of Lynnwood Traffic Engineer Two Locations in Lynnwood 1. Lynnwood Elementary: 44 th Avenue West from 189 th block north to 184 th block. (North of Civic Campus) 2. Meadowdale High School: 168 th Street SW from 62 nd block (Olympic View Drive) east to 56 th block. (Four Schools) Engineering Work with Police Department consultant to design a functioning photo enforced school zone with pedestrian actuated crossings. Disclaimer Photo Enforcement is not a Traffic Division or Public Works Program. Photo Enforcement is administered by Lynnwood Police and Lynnwood Municipal Court. It is a Program Approved and Sustained by Lynnwood Mayor and City Council. Design Constraints: - Automatic actuation of school zone beacons by time of day, day of week, and day of year (School Calendar). - Photo equipment operation must be time-sync d with flashing beacons. - Pedestrian actuation of beacons at crossings must be independent of school zone beacons. 1

2 Speed Measurement Loops Supporting Equipment Camera Pole Assembly Major Technical Problem #1 Photo equipment clock was a 24-hour timer. Beacon clock was sync d to cell service time. Solution #1 Enable/Disable photo equipment with a relay triggered by flashing beacons. 2

3 Major Technical Problem #2 Pedestrian activation of crosswalk beacons enabled photo equipment. Solution #2 Install separate pedestrian actuated flashers. LED (Solar) School Crossing Signs Minor Issues Location, Number, and Type of Signs (MUTCD/WSDOT/Lynnwood) Times When Flashing (City Council Decision) Initially during entire school session (7 am to 3 pm) Now; 1 hour before start; 30 minutes after start AND 30 minutes before dismissal; 1 hour after dismissal. Drawings were requested by Municipal Court. Minor Issues (continued) Complaints from People Receiving Infractions Telephone Calls (very interesting) Personal Visits (very, very interesting) Letters (snail mail) Website/ Public Records Requests Political Activists 3

4 Minor Issues (continued) Snow Days; changes in school schedule. Informing Police/Court of Changes, Maintenance, Etc. Provide New Drawings to Court. Infraction Processing Forwarded to Lynnwood Police Department Reviewed by LPD officer I try to justify drivers as much as I can Forwarded to Lynnwood Court Print Envelope Envelopes Delivered to Mail Room Postage Post Office. Two weeks from infraction to mailbox (typical). Infraction Processing Infraction Processing (The Ticket) Threshold is 26 miles per hour in 20 mph school zone. Still-image photo (rear of vehicle only) License Plate, Speed, Date, Time Full motion video (rear of vehicle) Vehicle Flashing Beacons Date and Time Infraction Processing Electronic video and photo sent via Internet to Contractor. Internet connection furnished by contractor Video and Stills Screened by Contractor Mitigating Circumstances Excluded Vehicles Police, Fire, Emergency City of Lynnwood (Fleet) Infraction Processing (The Ticket) Instructions (many do not read before they call, come into city hall demanding it be dismissed, or appearing in court) Ticketed owner can view infraction (photo and video) online Pay ticket ($124) before scheduled court date or appear in court on that date Mitigation hearing by mail; Defendant s Statement Declaration of Non-Responsibility; hearing in court 4

5 Infraction Processing (Court) Lynnwood Municipal Court Request Mitigation Contest the Infraction Mitigation Judge may reduce fine (~half) depending on explanation and driving record Contest New court date set If Judge finds you have committed a traffic infraction, it will appear on your driving record, you pay the full penalty, and may pay additional court costs? Who is owner of camera equipment: Contractor owns/maintains camera equipment? How often do they calibrate speed detection: According to manufacturer s recommendation Documentation is available through Public Records Request? Infraction on Driving Record of Vehicle Owner: Photo enforced infractions do not go on driving record; not reported to insurance Not considered a moving violation; equivalent to parking ticket (WA State Law)? Where does the money go: General Fund for City operations, projects, and programs.? Who is owner of beacons and signs: City of Lynnwood owns/maintains beacons and signs? Who is the manufacturer of your beacons: JSF Technologies (Canadian Company)? How do you program the flashing schedule: Secure web browser hosted by JSF? Who is Lynnwood s Contractor: LPD contracts with American Traffic Solutions, Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona? What is contractor s cut of $: Flat monthly fee per school zone (~$2k) (anything above monthly fee is Lynnwood s)? How much $ to city annually: Varies slightly; not exactly sure Must be more than $4k per month 5

6 Tours of Photo Enforced School Zones From DVD? How much does the JSF equipment cost: $3,000 per master wireless solar 12-inch flasher Includes 5 years of support and cellular subscription $1,500 per satellite wireless solar 12-inch flasher? What is the monthly fee for JSF service and support after the first 5 years: Up to $100 per master depending on model? Does having photo enforced school zones make the school zones safer: Yes. Lynnwood Police report higher compliance to school zone posted speed. Motorists often drive 20 mph even when the beacons are not flashing. That never happened before. Halo effect in non-photo enforced school zones. 6