(1)(a) Subject to RCW 46.63.220 and as limited in this subsection, automated traffic safety cameras may be used in cities with populations of more than 500,000 residents to detect one or more of the following violations:

(i) Stopping when traffic obstructed violations;

(ii) Stopping at intersection or crosswalk violations;

(iii) Public transportation only lane violations; or

(iv) Stopping or traveling in restricted lane violations.

(b) Use of automated traffic safety cameras as authorized in this subsection (1) is restricted to the following locations only: Intersections as described in RCW 46.63.230(2); railroad grade crossings; school speed zones; school walk zones; public park speed zones; hospital speed zones; and midblock on arterials. The use of such automated traffic safety cameras is further limited to the following:

(i) The portion of state and local roadways in downtown areas of the city used for office and commercial activities, as well as retail shopping and support services, and that may include mixed residential uses;

(ii) The portion of state and local roadways in areas in the city within one-half mile north of the boundary of the area described in (b)(i) of this subsection;

(iii) Portions of roadway systems in the city that travel into and out of (b)(ii) of this subsection that are designated by the Washington state department of transportation as noninterstate freeways for up to four miles; and

(iv) Portions of roadway systems in the city connected to the portions of the noninterstate freeways identified in (b)(iii) of this subsection that are designated by the Washington state department of transportation as arterial roadways for up to one mile from the intersection of the arterial roadway and the noninterstate freeway.

(2) Subject to RCW 46.63.220, automated traffic safety cameras may also be used in cities with a bus rapid transit corridor or routes to detect public transportation only lane violations.

(3) Subject to RCW 46.63.220, automated traffic safety cameras that are part of a public transportation vehicle-mounted system may be used by a transit authority within a county with a population of more than 1,500,000 residents to detect stopping, standing, or parking in bus stop zone violations if authorized by the local legislative authority with jurisdiction over the transit authority.

(4) Subject to RCW 46.63.220, and in consultation with the department of transportation, automated traffic safety cameras may be used to detect ferry queue violations under RCW 46.61.735.

(5) A transit authority may not take disciplinary action regarding a warning or infraction issued pursuant to subsections (1) through (3) of this section against an employee who was operating a public transportation vehicle at the time the violation that was the basis of the warning or infraction was detected.