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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />STUDY SESSION DATE: August 23, 2021 <br />TOPIC: Automated Traffic Safety Cameras <br />ACTION REQUESTED: Direct Staff <br />LEAD STAFF: <br />Mark R. Cook <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />Provide information to the Upper County Traffic Committee and begin assessing the <br />potential for legislative action. <br />BRIEFING SUMMARY: <br />• Automated traffic safety cameras are authorized in state law at Revised Code of <br />Washington Chapter 46.63.170 (EXHIBIT 1). <br />• The use of cameras for speed enforcement are currently restricted to use for <br />communities west of the Cascade mountains (46.63.170.1c). This use is further <br />restricted at 1 c(i) and (ii). <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Increasing urbanization is resulting in frequent speed violations on numerous county <br />roads. Responding to growing frustration from County residents, Public Works has <br />deployed numerous speed feedback signs along select County roads. Public Works is <br />also deploying various "traffic calming devices" attempting to build a portfolio of actions <br />for use Countywide. The toolbox of "traffic calming devices" is limited when deployed <br />on rural county roads. Current state law does not allow deployment of speed cameras in <br />rural eastern Washington. <br />DISCUSSION: <br />The work of the Upper County Traffic Committee affirms the need to widen Interstate 90 <br />from Exit 70 to Exit 85 (Easton to Cle Elum). While the County is working diligently to <br />determine federal and state appetite for the improvement, diverting 1-90 traffic continues <br />creating congestion and speeding issues for local residents. <br />Public Works is currently evaluating necessary state law changes enabling the County to <br />deploy speed cameras along selected County roads. Current legislation precludes <br />consideration of such deployment. Given the fact that I-90 widening (Exit 70 to Exit 85) <br />will likely take ten years or more, the State Legislature may be willing to entertain a <br />discussion about use of speed cameras as a tool bridging impacts ahead of I-90 widening. <br />Page 1 of 4 <br />Public Works "Work Session Staff Report", 2021 <br />