From staff reports:

An analysis released by American Traffic Solutions (ATS) says that speed violations decreased 57.9 percent in the Panther Lake Elementary School zone in Federal Way during the first five months that photo enforcement cameras were in place in 2011. ATS reports that Saghalie Middle School saw a 65 percent drop in school zone speed violations from January-May 2010 to the same test period in 2011.

In July 2010, the city council extended Federal Way’s contract with American Traffic Solutions for enforcement cameras through 2013.

Speed enforcement cameras are at Saghalie Middle School, Twin Lakes Elementary and Panther Lake Elementary. Two red-light enforcement cameras are at the intersection of South 348th Street and Enchanted Parkway. Four red-light cameras are at the South 320th Street/Pacific Highway South intersection. Another two cameras monitor the South 312th Street/Pacific Highway South crossing.

The cameras have been controversial in Federal Way from the time they were introduced in 2008. In 2010, Federal Way budgeted for $830,000 in red light photo enforcement revenues. By November 2010, the program brought in nearly $1.48 million ($649,106 above budget), according to a financial report.

Enforcement cameras photograph the license plate of the vehicle in violation. Offenses are reviewed by Arizona-based American Traffic Solutions and again by Federal Way police before a ticket is sent by ATS to the registered owner of the vehicle. ATS also has contracts with other King County cities including Renton, Bellevue and Issaquah.