Title
Update on Pedestrian Safety and Tools to Reduce Speeding
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on pedestrian safety and tools to reduce speeding and provide next steps for pursuing speed safety cameras and other speed management tools.
Report
Issue:
Whether an update on pedestrian safety and tools to reduce speeding and provide next steps for pursuing speed safety cameras and other speed management tools.
Staff Contact:
Michelle Swanson, AICP, Principal Planner, Public Works Transportation, 360.753.8575
Shelby Parker, Police Chief, Olympia Police Department, 360.753.8147
Presenter(s):
Michelle Swanson, AICP, Principal Planner
Shelby Parker, Police Chief
Background and Analysis:
In November 2025, the City Council referred to this Committee the topic of speed safety cameras and requested that it explore their use as a way to reduce vehicle speeds to improve pedestrian safety. The referral is attached. Staff will also discuss other methods to manage vehicle speeds, including traffic enforcement and adding traffic calming improvements to streets.
To prepare the Committee, staff has written a report about speed safety cameras, attached. Among other topics, the report describes the state regulations for these cameras, which include prohibiting cities from recording people’s faces and other privacy protections.
Additionally, staff has included maps that show the most recent results of an analysis of the difference between posted speed limits and the 85th percentile speed at several locations throughout Olympia. The 85th percentile speed is the speed at which 85% of vehicles are traveling or slower. The results show that speeding routinely occurs on Olympia’s streets.
Climate Analysis:
The City has a target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The transportation sector is the second-greatest source of emissions in our region. To achieve the emissions reduction goal, the City needs to reduce vehicle miles traveled to 25% lower than 2021 levels by 2040. Speed management tools can make it easier and more inviting for people to walk and bike.
Equity Analysis:
Pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable users of a street. Often people walking or rolling in a scooter or wheelchair are people who are unable to drive due to youth, advanced age, or disability. Making it safer for them to get around makes the transportation system more equitable.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Many residents have expressed concern about pedestrian safety through a variety of methods, including in feedback during public outreach processes and in emails and phone calls to City staff and City Councilmembers. Much of that feedback has focused on vehicle speed and its relationship to pedestrian safety.
Financial Impact:
If the City creates a speed safety camera program or implements other speed management tools, the costs and funding sources will need to be identified.
Options:
1. Receive an update on pedestrian safety and tools to reduce speeding and provide next steps for pursuing speed safety cameras and other speed management tools.
2. Receive an update on pedestrian safety and tools to reduce speeding and do not provide next steps for pursuing speed safety cameras and other speed management tools.
3. Take other action.
Attachments:
City Council Referral on Speed Safety Cameras
Report on Speed Safety Cameras
Maps Showing Actual Speeds vs Posted Speed Limits