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Automated Traffic Enforcement

HomeInformationAutomated Traffic Enforcement

Waterloo Police Automated Traffic Enforcement

The Automated Traffic Safety Enforcement Program (ATE) is part of the City of Waterloo's comprehensive strategy to enhance roadway safety by addressing the leading causes of traffic accidents, particularly red-light and speeding violations. These violations are significant contributors to crashes, especially in high-risk areas. The program focuses on reducing these accidents, which pose not only a risk to motorists but also to first responders and other road users.

While the ATE systems are not meant to replace traditional traffic enforcement, they serve as an important supplementary tool, making enforcement more consistent and efficient. One of the program’s additional benefits is that it reduces the potential for bias-based policing, as it minimizes the need for physical traffic stops, which can sometimes lead to subjective judgments. The following data collected from the ATE systems demonstrates their positive impact on enhancing road safety in Waterloo.

HISTORY
The introduction of an Automatic Traffic Enforcement (ATE) Program in June 2017 by the Waterloo City Council and the Waterloo Police Department was aimed to enhance traffic safety at high- or severe-crash locations. This move followed earlier efforts to reduce accidents, which included infrastructural engineering changes, public education campaigns, and direct enforcement by officers. However, these previous measures did not yield significant improvements in reducing crashes.

The ATE system, typically relying on technology like red-light cameras, speed cameras, or other sensors, is designed to automatically detect traffic violations and issue fines. It offers several benefits, including:

  1. Increased Enforcement: It ensures consistent enforcement, even in areas where there may not be a police presence.
  2. Deterrence: Knowing that automated cameras are monitoring the roads, drivers are more likely to adhere to speed limits and traffic signals.
  3. Data Collection: These systems can generate data to better understand traffic patterns and crash hot spots, enabling more informed decisions for future road safety improvements.
  4. Efficiency: Automated systems can process violations quickly, freeing up law enforcement resources for other important tasks.

Given that previous methods showed limited success, the ATE system represents a more data-driven, technology-focused approach to improving road safety. The hope was that by addressing the root causes of high-risk traffic behavior, the city could reduce the frequency and severity of accidents, particularly in high-risk areas.

On May 17, 2024, House File 2681 (HF2681) was signed into law, regulating the use of ATE systems that enforce speed laws in Iowa. The City of Waterloo paused operations of their ATE system until a legal review was conducted. On June 3rd, 2024, City Council updated the previous fine structure to the new one, Resolution (2024-344), which aligned with state law of enforcing speed violations at 11 mph over the speed limit. After the legal review and Resolution/Fine update, the City of Waterloo continued their operation of their ATE system.

The City of Waterloo submitted their application for the continued use of 23 fixed locations and 21 mobile locations. On September 30, 2024, the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) approved 15 mobile locations. The fixed locations stopped issuing speed violations. An appeal has been submitted with a response forthcoming.

Citation payment

To pay or review a Waterloo Police Department Automated Traffic Enforcement Citation online, access the link below and utilize the provided citation number and PIN that can be found on the front of the citation.  The City of Waterloo partners with the Citation Processing Center (viewCitation.com) to handle online citation payments

Pay Citation

Camera Locations and Calibration Documents

The WPD is committed to the concept of governmental transparency in all aspects of our operations and in that spirit has made all camera calibration documents easily accessible to the public. Below is a list of camera locations with the appropriate calibration documents:

ATE Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I received a citation in the mail for my car but I wasn’t driving, am I still liable?
A: Yes, according to Waterloo City Ordinance 6-1-4, the owner of the vehicle, as determined by Iowa DOT registration records, is liable for the civil fine, not the driver.

Q: Does an ATE citation affect my driving record and/or insurance?
A: No, ATE citations are not reported to either the State of Iowa DOT or any private insurance companies.

Q: I want to contest my ATE citation, what do I do?
A: There are instructions on the ATE citation to request an administrative hearing. In 2021, the Waterloo City Council amended the ATE Ordinance allowing for mail-in hearings only. Those forms can be obtained through GATSO USA by following the instructions on the ATE citations or by downloading them. 

Once your documents are received, your appeal will be reviewed by a sworn police officer, and a notice of hearing outcome will be mailed to you. You may also request a Municipal Infraction be filed in lieu of an ATE citation so that your case can be heard before a district judge. To do so, please email ATE@waterloopolice.com with your current mailing address, name, date of birth, and citation number. The filing of a Municipal Infraction citation could cause the owner of a vehicle to incur additional court fees.

Q: I want to pay my ATE fine, how do I do so?
A: All fines and payments are processed through GATSO USA and instructions to pay online or by check can be found on the citation. If you have limited internet access, a free computer kiosk is located in the front lobby of the Waterloo Police Department, where online payments may be made.

Q: I don’t want to pay my fine, what will happen to me?
A: Unpaid fines are sent to collections, which are also handled by GATSO USA and may impact your credit rating. The City of Waterloo has also begun using the Iowa Offset Program to collect unpaid fines. The Iowa Offset Program requires a court-ordered judgment against you. Once the city has secured a judgment, the fines, plus court costs, may be deducted from various income sources such as tax returns, lottery prizes or casino winnings.

Q: I have received a Chronic Nuisance Vehicle citation, what do I do?
A: You have two options. First, you can contact the City Attorney’s Office at 319-291-4327 and make arrangements to plead guilty. Your second option is to plead not guilty and request a trial.

Q: I have pled not guilty to a Municipal Infraction/Chronic Nuisance Vehicle citation, will I be given an attorney?
A: No, since both of these citations are civil in nature and there is no threat of jail time, an attorney will not be presented to you by the state. If you wish for an attorney to represent you in these proceedings, you will have to retain them yourself.

Q: I have lost my ATE Citation, what do I do?
A: Email your name, the location which you received the citation from, and license plate number to ATE@waterloopolice.com, and another citation will be sent to you via email.