TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Update on Implementation of SB 1051 Forward Facing Cameras
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a report on the implementation of Senate Bill 1051, use of forward facing cameras in transit only lanes, and an update on actions taken by local law enforcement agencies to enforce bus stop violations by motorists and provide direction to staff on pursuing legislative action to extend the provisions of Senate Bill 1051.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The District is preparing for the launch of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system later this year. Deployment of forward-facing camera technology in transit-only lanes will support the delivery of reliable service. Expansion: The use of forward-facing camera technology is currently limited to transit-only lanes, use of forward-facing camera technology at bus stops requires legislative action by the California legislature.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no budgetary impact associated with this report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
In 2016, staff worked to secure legislation to allow the District to use forward facing camera technology to enforce parking in transit-only lanes. Staff worked with State Senator Loni Hancock who sponsored and introduced Senate Bill 1051 on behalf of the District. SB 1051 was signed into law by the Governor in September of 2016.
Senate Bill 1051 authorizes the District, “…to enforce parking violations in specified transit-only traffic lanes through the use of video imaging evidence and to install automated forward-facing parking control devices on district-owned public transit vehicles.” Prior to issuing notices of parking violations, the District is required to issue warning notices for 30 days. Additionally, the District is required to make a public announcement of the program at least 30 days prior to commencement of issuing parking violations.
The BRT project’s Public Outreach Team, in coordination with the Department of Marketing & Communications and the District’s Media Affairs Manager, will partner to notify the public about the use of forward-facing cameras on BRT buses to enforce parking in the transit-only lanes.
Beginning July 1, the BRT Outreach Team will initiate communications to alert the public about the use of the cameras and encourage motorists not to park in the transit-only lanes. Messaging will be communicated through social media channels and eNews email. Additionally, communications will be distributed to key stakeholders, with an emphasis on local businesses and organizations that operate along the corridor. Finally, the team will request support from our city partners in Oakland and San Leandro, including council members and their staff, to share this information with the communities they serve. The District’s Media Affairs Manager will engage the media to further amplify the message that the District will begin using forward-facing cameras to enforce parking in the transit-only lanes.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Department will issue warnings during the month of July in order to meet the 30-day warning notice period as required by the legislation.
SB 1051 only applies to parking in transit-only lanes, it does not apply to bus stops. In 2016, during the committee hearing process, the District did not secure the authority to use forward-facing cameras at bus stops in addition to transit-only lanes. Instead, the Assembly Transportation Committee encouraged the District to work with local law enforcement agencies to enforce bus stop violations.
The table in Attachment 2 contains the statistics provided by the agencies that responded to the District’s request for data on bus stop violations issued between 2014 and 2019. The chart also includes statistics from the Alameda and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Departments.
The statistics show that District operations are impacted by the frequency in which cars are parked in bus stops. SB 1051 requires that the District submit to the Transportation, Privacy, and Judiciary committees of the California Legislature, evaluations of the automated enforcement system’s effectiveness, impact on privacy, cost to implement, and generation of revenue, no later than January 1, 2021.
The current legislation expires on January 1, 2022, before which time the District will need to seek an extension of the authorizing legislation. At that time, the District could consider again seeking legislative authorization to use forward-facing camera technology at bus stops as well. Staff requests Board authorization to request an extension of the enabling legislation beyond its current expiration date of January 1, 2022.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
This item is a briefing on progress being made on the use of forward-facing camera technology to enforce parking violations in transit-only lanes, and the efforts of local law enforcement agencies to enforce parking violations at bus stops. There are no advantages or disadvantages associated with this report.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
There are no alternatives to the receipt of this briefing item.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
None
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Senate Bill 1051
2. Bus Stop Violations Chart
Prepared by:
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs and Community Relations
Kerry Jackson, Protective Services Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications