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Safe Routes update: new school zones, Summit safety work and early speed‑camera results

Charlottesville City School Board · April 1, 2026

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Summary

City and school Safe Routes staff briefed the board on new school-zone code changes, infrastructure projects and a Summit Elementary safety plan; a speed-camera pilot (6 cameras) issued about 753 warnings/citations in its first warning/citation period with $50 fines and most offenders not repeating.

City and school staff presented an update March 31 on the Safe Routes to School program, new school-zone rules, Summit Elementary safety challenges and an early evaluation of a speed-camera pilot.

The city updated its code to expand school‑zone options and set a 750-foot school area boundary; the division and city will add school zones at four schools (Trailblazer, CHS, Summit, Sunrise), with CHS scheduled to receive two zones and Melbourne Avenue reduced to 25 mph. The city is installing 12 new school-zone flashers (two per new zone) and has a five-year quick-build/concrete project budget.

Summit Elementary was highlighted as the program’s most complex current issue: it lacks an off-street drop‑off loop, faces heavy arterial traffic on Monticello Avenue and has limited bus service. Staff described community engagement, pilot designs for Belmont and Tufton, and a multifaceted plan that could include traffic design changes, enforcement, crossing guards and pilots rather than a single fix. Staff said a full solution will likely take longer than the rest of the school year but that short-term pilots and CPD support are possible in the near term.

The presentation included a speed-camera pilot: three locations, two cameras each (six cameras total). Staff reported about 753 citations (first three months, after an initial warning period) across the pilot locations and said approximately 93% of drivers who received a first citation did not reoffend in the short run. The cameras only issue citations when vehicles exceed the posted school-zone limit by 11 mph (state law); with a 15 mph flashing school-zone limit, enforcement threshold is 26 mph. Staff later clarified the fine amount is $50 and that program revenue covers costs; excess funds go to the city general fund. Board members asked for trend data by month and for public follow-up on citation patterns and communications.