(a)  The state department of transportation and the municipalities of this state are hereby authorized to operate “automated school-zone-speed-enforcement systems.”

(b)  For the purposes of this chapter:

(1)  An “automated school-zone-speed-enforcement system” is an automated traffic-speed-enforcement system operated within one-quarter (¼) mile of any type of school in the state of Rhode Island;

(2)  An “automated traffic-speed-enforcement system” is defined as a system using one or more vehicle detectors in combination with photography to identify and provide a photographic image of vehicles which are exceeding the posted speed limit, or the speed limit designated by state law or regulation, for a given school zone, and may be in fixed or mobile configurations; and

(3)  A “school zone” is defined as anywhere within a one-quarter (¼) mile radius of any type of school in the state of Rhode Island.