This week, Basalt Town Council discussed a new form of automated speed enforcement technology that may come to Highway 82 in the near future in order to slow traffic at exits.
The presentation was led by Lieutenant Aaron Munch of the Basalt Police Department (BPD) and Brendan Knox, a representative of municipal-enforcement software company Dacra Tech.
The technology, called Speed Enforcer, is a system of solar powered cameras connected to a database which collects violation data and automatically sends out warnings, citations and penalty orders to speeding offenders caught on camera. In turn, citizens who need to take action after receiving a citation or order can do so via Speed Enforcer’s citizen portal.
This kind of system is referred to under Colorado law as an automated vehicle identification system (AVIS).
Basalt would not be the first Western Slope community to implement such a system. Glenwood Springs installed five AVIS cameras within city limits. Vail and Avon have implemented the same system.
Knox stated that automated speed enforcement is only one part of a multiple-tiered approach, not a “silver bullet.”
He also dispelled the idea that these cameras are “speed traps,” stating that camera systems are highly visible and legally must be indicated with approaching signage. The cameras, approximately 10 to 14 feet off the ground, are generally solar powered and can function day and night. Photos of license plates taken by automated camera systems are confirmed to be accurate by members of Dacra staff before being handed off to municipal staff.
Regarding privacy concerns, Knox stated that all cameras are oriented only to take photos of the rear license plate of vehicles. Additionally, the only entities with access to traffic violation data are the violator, Dacra staff and support partners, and municipal staff.
Dacra Tech contracted a traffic study along two sections of Highway 82, selected because of their proximity to traffic lights leading in and out of Basalt. Over the course of one week in December, the study found that 11.3% of approximately 1.4 million trips were eligible for traffic citations.
However, Knox dissuaded the Town from using AVIS systems too aggressively, and issuing citations immediately. “You can make rules about how you cite people … It doesn’t always have to be a hammer to get people’s attention,” he said. “You can get people’s attention by being kind about it, but ultimately being firm about it.”
Lieutenant Munch answered questions from the council. He stated that BPD primarily issues citations at violations of 10mph above the speed limit or higher. However, he also stated that issuing violations is contextual and up to an officer’s discretion, explaining that, for example, speeding in a narrow residential street like Homestead Drive might be a scenario when an officer tickets to ensure public safety.
Drivers caught by the AVIS would be subject to a warning period before the issuance of fines and citations. “I’m supportive of this because I like the outcome, not because of anything else,” said Mayor David Knight, implying the AVIS system is not intended solely to generate revenue. “People are going way too fast through town. Even if we lost a little money, I think getting those comms out [is good].”
The cameras and system have no upfront installation cost to Basalt and are instead leased to the Town. Furthermore, the system is wholly paid for by collections from traffic citations. “We will never bill you over and above what the city takes in from a collections standpoint,” emphasized Knox. “You will never owe money to Dacra.”
Upon being asked by councilors about other potential areas for AVIS cameras, Lieutenant Munch stated that while there were areas BPD has received complaints about, an advantage of setting up an AVIS system in areas already known to have high-speed incidence rates is that the automated system frees traffic enforcement officers to monitor other corridors.
Steps toward implementation would begin with an ordinance to amend Basalt’s code followed by approval of a lease agreement with Dacra. Council directed staff to pursue an ordinance and to provide additional financial data regarding the current use of funding from traffic violations.