BPAC hears data, cost and legal questions about school-zone speed cameras

City staff updated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee on the operation and limits of the city's school-zone speed-enforcement cameras and the work needed before any expansion.

"So our speed enforcement cameras, they only operate during the times that the school zone is active," said Kyle Rodland, the city's safe routes to school coordinator, noting the cameras are active only when the school-zone lights flash. Rodland told members the city operates three camera zones (Summit Elementary, Tall Oaks Elementary and Charles Hill Mills School) with two cameras per zone so both directions are covered. He said cameras are managed by a third-party vendor and that the state law requires drivers to be traveling at least 11 miles an hour over the posted school-zone speed to trigger a citation.

Committee members pressed staff on data quality and contract terms after staff reported a high "rejection rate" last school year — over 50% — caused by unsynced flashers, physical obstructions and calibration problems. Rodland said the city is still effectively paying vendor costs and has not yet reached a breakeven point; any net proceeds, per recent state legislation, must be spent on bike, pedestrian or alternative-transportation infrastructure and planning.

Members asked for clearer performance metrics and standards if pilots are extended or cameras are added. The discussion also covered administrative burdens — the need for police review of potential citations and whether additional staff would be required if the program grows — and the committee asked for more complete data reporting once system calibration and vendor reconciliation are complete.