June 06, 2008

A new photo enforcement camera located at the Union Pacific railroad crossing at Rock Hill Road

and West Lockwood Avenue will go into service beginning June 7.

This is the first and only photo enforcement in the St. Louis area for a railroad crossing, according to

Webster Groves Police Capt. Stephen Spear. Spear said the camera will serve as an additional safety

measure for the city’s established “quiet zone” — an area where train horn warnings are not used.

“Historically, we have had the most problems at the Rock Hill location. That’s why we have started

there. We are also in the process of installing a camera at the North Gore crossing. We don’t have a

completion date on that,” Spear said.

The automated system has been operating on a test basis at the Rock Hill Road crossing for the past

two weeks. Beginning June 7, still images and video will capture motorists violating the crossing

warning devices, and notices of violations — the fine is $100 — will be mailed to the vehicle’s

registered owner.

The program is administered by American Traffic Solutions Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz.

It is the largest provider of photo traffic enforcement programs in the country, including the red-

light photo program in the City of St. Louis.

Spear said the camera operates 24 hours a day, recording images when the lights of a rail crossing

are triggered by a ground censor. Images are transferred to American Traffic Solutions, where

unusable photos and video are eliminated.

“Those that are clear are sent to us to review,” Spear said. “Our department will review each

violation, and determine whether a summons will be issued.”

A violator receiving a summons will receive a Web site address, along with a pin number associated

with that violation.

“A violator can then view photos of the car prior to entering the zone, and a photo of the violation.

There is also a 10-second video of the violation that can be viewed, and a picture of the license plate,”

Spear said.

Motorists may appeal the violation in Webster Groves Municipal Court, or submit a “Declaration of

Non-Liability” through the court, stating that the vehicle’s owner was not driving the car at the time

of the violation. Ultimately, however, Spear said the vehicle’s registered owner is responsible for

paying the fine.

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