9/6/2024
TO: PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE
AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
COMMITTEE
FROM: John Ristow
SUBJECT: Traffic Enforcement
Measures Implementation
Status Report
DATE: September 4, 2024
Approved Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the status report on automated speed enforcement (speed cameras) and redlight camera implementation progress.
BACKGROUND
The City of San José’s Vision Zero Program is vital to the City Council’s Increasing Community Safety Focus Area. In February 2020, the City Council approved the 2020 Vision Zero Action Plan, including strategies focused on eliminating fatalities and reducing severe injuries while providing safe mobility on our roadways. The plan included using automated technology to assist with traffic enforcement. Automated speed enforcement and red-light camera enforcement are tools that can help the Vision Zero Program achieve its goals. This memorandum provides an update on the status of automated speed enforcement and red-light camera programs.
Automated Speed Enforcement
For nearly a decade, the City of San José collaborated with other California cities, advocating for state adoption of automated speed enforcement as a tool to address critical safety challenges on city streets. City staff, legislators, and advocates for roadway safety attempted to push this important measure through the State Legislature three times prior to the passage of Assembly Bill 645 (AB 645) in October of 2023. With the passage of the bill, the City of San José became one of just six cities in California allowed to pilot automated speed enforcement.
Red-Light Camera Enforcement
California State law authorizes government agencies to implement an automated RedLight Camera enforcement system. Prior to the passage of AB 645, the Fiscal Year COMMITTEE AGENDA: 9/19/24
ITEM: (d)4.
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
2022-2023 Budget Message directed staff to launch a Red-Light Camera Enforcement pilot at four intersections with the highest number of injury collisions related to red-light running. In San José, red-light running is the second highest contributing factor to traffic fatalities and severe injuries. This technology is used to deter speeding and red-light running incidents, including decreasing broadside or “T-bone” traffic crashes. However, the presence of red-light cameras could lead to a potential increase in less severe rearend collisions due to motorists braking or stopping fast to avoid running a red light.
Automated License Plate Readers
In May of 2022, the San José Police Department installed the initial cameras for its Automated License Plate Reader pilot program at the intersection of Monterey Road and Curtner Avenue to help hit-and-run collision investigation efforts. This system has demonstrated its effectiveness in assisting in solving hit-and-run cases and is designed to help alter behavior related to such incidents.
ANALYSIS
Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Pilot Program (AB 645):
Funding
In May 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) was awarded $8.5 million from the Safe Streets for All federal grant program. The funding will be used for speed camera implementation, public outreach and community engagement activities, data collection and analysis, and racial and socioeconomic equity studies. Additionally, $2.4 million of Capital Improvement and General Fund money has been programmed to cover local match grant requirements and support program staffing needs.
Camera and Location Requirements
AB 645 authorizes the City of San José to establish a Speed Safety System Pilot Program under specific conditions and requirements. Legislation permits the City to install up to 33 speed cameras at locations that meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) a safety corridor as defined by Caltrans, 2) a location in which four or more law enforcement speed complaints of racing or contests have been made within a twoyear period, and/or 3) a school zone. The pilot program can operate for a maximum of five years but must cease by January 1, 2032.
The Vision Zero team conducted a comprehensive data analysis to identify potential locations for speed camera deployment. Analysis focused on identifying potential locations that meet Caltrans requirements for safety corridors, where excess speeding of 11+ miles per hour or higher was identified through historical and recent speed and traffic volume data and areas with fatal and severe injury crashes related to speeding and red light running, including clusters of crashes where vehicles fail to yield to pedestrians. Additionally, AB 645 states the cameras must be placed across geographically and socioeconomically diverse communities. The analysis resulted in a
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
larger list of potential locations, giving the City flexibility beyond the maximum allowable 33 cameras. The larger list will allow potential camera system vendors to install cameras at alternate locations should installation challenges arise. Additionally, the larger list will allow for cameras to be re-located during the project’s lifespan should the City choose to do so. Staff does not expect to install more than two cameras on the same corridor unless the corridor extends for multiple miles. See Attachment A for the list of potential automated speed enforcement camera locations.
Pilot Program Project Implementation Requirements
AB 645 outlines five specific project components that must be met during program implementation, the timeline for which is shown in Attachment B and further described below:
1) Pathway to Council Policy and Impact Report Adoption 2) Request for Proposals and Vendor Selection
3) Project Implementation
4) Project Fully Operationalized and
5) Project Closeout.
As part of the Pathway to Council Policy and Impact Report Adoption, AB 645 requires the governing body to adopt a Speed Safety System Usage Policy and a Speed Safety System Impact report prior to program implementation. The Speed Safety System Use Policy shall set forth the specific purpose for the system, the uses that are authorized, the rules and processes required to be followed by employees and contractors of the designated jurisdiction administering the system prior to its use, and the uses of the equipment and data collected that are prohibited. The Speed Safety Impact report includes details related to the purpose of the system, a description of how the system works, potential deployment locations, fiscal costs, potential impacts on civil liberties and rights, and a plan to safeguard those rights.
The bill also includes robust public engagement and outreach campaign requirements, including consultation with local interest groups in the development of the policy and impact report. On August 1, 2024, and August 12, 2024, the City of San José hosted workshops, engaging with community-based organizations to review the Speed Camera Pilot Program strategy, draft Policy, and draft Impact Report along with potential locations. Concerns, suggestions, and feedback provided through online comments and during these workshops were captured and categorized within the following seven themes: 1) operations, 2) privacy, 3) data, 4) public outreach/education, 5) policy/impact report, 6) socioeconomic and racial equity, and 7) location selection. The Speed Safety System Use Policy and Impact Report will be published online for public review at least 30 days prior to its recommended adoption. Staff anticipates bringing the Speed Safety System Use Policy and Impact Report to City Council at the October 22, 2024, meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
On February 1, 2024, staff met with the City’s procurement team to understand requirements and initiate the early phases of the Request for Proposals process. By engaging early and regularly, the City will be able to immediately release the Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Request for Proposals once all AB 645 and Federal Grant requirements are met. Following vendor selection, the project team will engage in a wide variety of activities involving the administrative, adjudication, permitting, software installation, and training of staff to support the launch of the program. In parallel, DOT staff will be launching an Outreach and Community Engagement strategy in January 2025 to begin the process of ensuring residents are informed and aware of the project ahead of launch.
Staff expects that camera installation will occur in the Fall of 2025. During the first 60 calendar days of camera operations, warning notices must be issued for violations detected by the speed camera. Post the 60-day warning period, the first violation for a vehicle traveling 11-15 mph over the posted speed limit shall also result in a warning notice. Citations will be issued after being validated by DOT staff. Citations will not impact an individual’s driving record (no driver’s license points assigned) and, per AB 645, fine amounts will be set as follows: 1) Fifty dollars ($50) for driving at a speed of 11 to 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, 2) One hundred dollars ($100) for driving at a speed of 16 to 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, 3) Two hundred dollars ($200) for driving at a speed of 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, and 4) Five hundred dollars ($500) for driving at a speed of 100 miles per hour or more. The bill requires the City to offer both a fine/fee reduction and diversion program for low-income residents who meet income threshold requirements.
At the end of the five-year operational period or the January 1, 2032, deadline, staff is required to submit a project closeout report to City Council and to the State Transportation Committees of the Legislature. The project closeout report must cover several data points related to the number of vehicles speeding at individual locations over the duration of the pilot, the costs associated with implementing the system, and a racial and economic equity analysis.
Red-Light Running Cameras
The Mayor’s June Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 allocated $733,000 for the installation of red-light running cameras at up to four intersections with one approach per intersection. The Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget added $200,000 to continue temporary staffing to manage the implementation and evaluation of the system. Intersection selection for red-light running cameras considered the following criteria: 1) highest number of red-light running collisions from 2019-2023 (latest dataset available), 2) known locations of special interest expressed by City Council or the San José Police Department that would highly benefit from red-light running cameras, and 3) input from both the City’s Digital Privacy Officer and DOT’s Equity Analyst. See Attachment C for the list of potential red-light camera locations.
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
The Red-Light Running project will utilize a turnkey solution where the vendor will implement and operate the equipment. California Vehicle Code 40518 requires that a law enforcement agency is responsible for issuing citations (Notice to Appear), requiring the San José Police Department to sign and approve citations. Non-sworn staff will be used. The vendor will handle administrative duties, including mailing the citation to the registered owner. Once the Notice to Appear has been mailed by the vendor, all administrative work, including payment of citations, will be administered by Santa Clara Superior Court. Citation workflow will be coordinated and finalized with the vendor and the San José Police Department during the implementation process.
The Red-Light Running project is currently in the Request for Proposal evaluation stage.
An estimated project timeline is provided in Attachment D. The Red-Light Running project will initially be a one-year pilot of the cameras. DOT staff will return to City Council with an evaluation report after one year of full operation of the cameras that provides an evaluation of the system, cost/benefit analysis, and outcomes achieved.
Staff will also present recommendations to City Council to continue, expand, or terminate the program.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the San José Police Department, City Manager’s Budget Office, and the City Attorney’s Office.
/s/
John Ristow
Director, Department of Transportation
For questions on the Speed Camera Pilot Program, please contact Lam Cruz, Division Manager, Department of Transportation at [email protected].
For questions on the Red-Light Running Program, please contact Eric Lee, Associate Engineer, Department of Transportation at [email protected].
The principal author of this memorandum is Jill Mariani, Program Manager, Department of Transportation. For questions, please contact [email protected].
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Potential Locations Attachment B: Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Project Timeline Attachment C: Red-Light Running Camera Potential Locations Attachment D: Red-Light Running Camera Project Timeline
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
ATTACHMENT A
Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Potential Locations
No. Corridor
Council
District Proposed Location
1 Alum Rock Ave 5 Alum Rock Ave between Sunset Ave and 680 2 Alum Rock Ave 5 Alum Rock Ave between 101 and King Rd 3 Alum Rock Ave 5 Alum Rock Ave between King Rd and Sunset Ave 4 Blossom Hill Rd 2 Blossom Hill Rd between Lean Ave and Monterey Rd 5 Blossom Hill Rd 10 Blossom Hill Rd between Cahalan Ave and Hwy 85 6 Blossom Hill Rd 2 Blossom Hill Rd between Snell Ave and Hwy 85 7 Blossom Hill Rd 2 Blossom Hill Rd between Snell Ave and Lean Ave 8 Branham Ln 9 Branham Ln between Jarvis Ave and Pearl Ave 9 Branham Ln 9 Branham Ln between Camden Ave to Meridian Ave 10 Branham Ln 2 Branham Ln between Kingspark Dr and Monterey Rd 11 Branham Ln 9 Branham Ln between Meridian Ave and Jarvis Ave 12 Camden Ave 10 Camden Ave between Almaden Exp and Bret Harte Dr 13 Camden Ave 9 Camden Ave between Hillsdale Ave and Hwy 85 14 Capitol Ave 4 Capitol Ave between Cropley Ave and 680 15 Capitol Ave 5 Capitol Ave between Alum Rock Ave and McKee Rd 16 Capitol Ave 4,5 Capitol Avenue between Berryessa Rd and Mabury Rd 17 Curtner Ave 6,7 Curtner Ave between 87 and Almaden Rd 18 Curtner Ave 6 Curtner Ave between Lincoln Ave to Almaden Rd 19 Curtner Ave 7 Curtner Ave between 87 and Monterey Rd 20 Curtner Ave 6,9 Curtner Ave between Meridian Ave and Booksin Ave 21 First St 4 N 1st St between Tasman Dr and Orchard Pwy 22 Hillsdale Ave 9 Hillsdale Ave between Cherry Ave and Almaden Exp 23 Hillsdale Ave 9 Hillsdale Ave between Meridian Ave and Jarvis Ave 24 Jackson Ave 5 Jackson Ave between Commodore Dr and Mabury Rd 25 Jackson Ave 5 Jackson Ave between 680 and Story Rd
26 Jackson Ave 5 Jackson Ave between Brushglen Wy and McKee Rd 27 Jackson Ave 5 Jackson Ave between San Antonio St to 680 28 Jackson Ave 5 Jackson Ave between McKee Rd to Alum Rock Ave 29 Mckee Rd 3,5 McKee Rd between 101 and Jackson Ave
30 Mckee Rd 5 McKee Rd Between Capitol Ave and White Rd 31 Mclaughlin Ave 7 McLaughlin Ave between Story Rd and Tully Rd 32 Mclaughlin Ave 7 McLaughlin Ave between Tully Rd and Umbarger Rd 33 Meridian Ave 10 Meridian Ave between Blossom Hill Rd and Coleman Rd 34 Monterey Rd 2 Monterey Rd between Skyway Dr and Branham Ln 35 Monterey Rd 2 Monterey Rd between Chynoweth Ave to Palmwell Wy
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
No. Corridor
Council
District Proposed Location
36 Monterey Rd 7 Monterey Rd between Old Tully Rd and Umbarger Rd 37 Monterey Rd 7 Monterey Rd between Alma Ave and Curtner Ave 38 Monterey Rd 7 Monterey Rd between Umbarger Rd and Southside Dr 39 Monterey Rd 7 Monterey Rd between Southside Dr and Capitol Expy 40 Quimby Rd 8 Quimby Rd between Tully Rd and White Rd
41 Santa Clara St 3 Santa Clara between 10th St and 28th St 42 Santa Teresa Bl 10 Santa Teresa Blvd between Avenida Espana and Bayliss Dr 43 Santa Teresa Bl 10 Santa Teresa Blvd between Snell Ave and Cottle Rd 44 Saratoga Ave 1 Saratoga Ave between Campbell Ave and Payne Ave 45 Saratoga Ave 1 Saratoga Ave between Keily Blvd and Stevens Creek Blvd 46 Saratoga Ave 1 Saratoga Ave between Williams Rd and 280 47 Saratoga Ave 1 Saratoga Av between Payne Ave and Williams Rd 48 Story Rd 7 Story Rd between Senter Rd and McLaughlin Ave 49 Story Rd 7 Story Rd between McLaughlin Ave to 101
50 Story Rd 5,7 Story Rd between 101 to King Rd
51 Story Rd 5 Story Rd between King Rd and Hopkins Dr
52 Story Rd 5 Story Rd between Hopkins Dr and Jackson Ave 53 Story Rd 5 Story Rd between Jackson Ave to Capitol Expy 54 Tully Rd 8 Tully Rd between White Rd and Flint Ave
55 Tully Rd 5,8 Tully Rd between Quimby Rd and Capitol Expy 56 Tully Rd 7,8 Tully Rd between King Rd and Quimby Rd
57 Tully Rd 7 Tully Rd between Senter Rd and McLaughlin Ave 58 Tully Rd 7 Tully Rd between Monterey Rd and 10th St
59 Tully Rd 8 Tully Rd between Flint Ave and Ruby Ave
60 Tully Rd 7 Tully Rd between Senter Rd and S 10th St
61 Tully Rd 7 Tully Rd between McLaughlin Ave and King Rd 62 White Rd 8 White between Ocala Ave and Tully Rd
63 White Rd 5 White Rd between Quimby Rd and Aborn Rd
64 White Rd 5 White Rd between Alum Rock Ave and Ocala Ave
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
ATTACHMENT B
Automated Speed Enforcement Camera Project Timeline
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
ATTACHMENT C
Red-Light Running Camera Potential Locations
Potential intersection selection is shown in the table below. Final intersection selection will be coordinated and finalized with the vendor during the implementation stage.
No.
Proposed
Location
Council
District
# of
crashes
involving
Red-Light
Running
(RLR)* Notes
1 11th St & Keyes St 3 18
Future Story Rd/Keyes St complete streets project
upcoming (3-4 years projected)
2 Alma Ave & Vine St 3,7 16
3 McLaughlin Ave &
Story Rd 7 16
4 Leigh Ave &
Parkmoor Ave 6 15
5 Blossom Hill Rd &
Snell Ave 2 13
7 RLR involving left turns & westbound. Identified
by San José Police Department as approach of
interest.
6 Curtner Ave/Tully
Rd & Monterey Rd 7 13
Identified by San José Police Department and
City Council as possible candidate for RLR
cameras.
7 Branham Ln &
Monterey Rd 2 12
8 First St & Virginia
St 3 12
9 Eleventh St &
Santa Clara St 3 11
10 Junipero Serra Fr &
Saratoga Av 1 11
11 Keyes St & Third St 3 11
*Crash data from January 2019 to December 2023.
PUBLIC SAFETY, FINANCE AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT
September 4, 2024
Subject: Traffic Enforcement Measures Implementation Report
ATTACHMENT D
Red-Light Running Camera Project Timeline