BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1447
Author: Waldron (R) and V. Manuel Pérez (D), et al.
Amended: 7/1/14 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 10-0, 6/10/14
AYES: DeSaulnier, Gaines, Cannella, Galgiani, Hueso, Lara, Liu,
Pavley, Roth, Wyland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Beall
SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE : 6-0, 6/25/14
AYES: Hill, Gaines, Hancock, Jackson, Leno, Pavley
NO VOTE RECORDED: Fuller
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 5-0, 8/14/14
AYES: De León, Hill, Lara, Padilla, Steinberg
NO VOTE RECORDED: Walters, Gaines
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 70-2, 5/19/14 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: traffic signal
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill allows investments in a traffic signal
synchronization to be eligible for an allocation of monies from
the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) as a component of an
eligible sustainable infrastructure project as specified.
ANALYSIS :
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Existing law:
1.Under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006:
A. Requires the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to
determine the 1990 statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
level and approve a statewide GHG emissions limit that is
equivalent to that level, to be achieved by 2020.
B. Requires ARB to adopt GHG emissions reductions measures
by regulation.
C. Allows ARB to include market-based compliance mechanisms
to reach GHG emission reduction goals.
1.Establishes the GGRF from money collected through ARB's
market-based mechanisms and prioritizes that the money shall
be used to facilitate the achievement of reductions in GHG
emissions.
2.Authorized The Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality,
and Port Security Bond Act of 2006, as approved by voters on
November 7, 2006 (Proposition 1B). The $19.925 billion bond
allocates $250 million to fund traffic light synchronization
projects or other technology-based improvements to improve
safety, operations and the effective capacity of local streets
and roads.
This bill:
1.Allows investments in a traffic signal synchronization to be
eligible for an allocation of monies from the GGRF as a
component of an eligible sustainable infrastructure project if
the following conditions are met:
A. The sponsoring agency's legislative or governing body
makes a finding that the traffic signal synchronization
component is designed and implemented to achieve
cost-effective reductions in GHG emissions.
B. The traffic signal synchronization component includes
specific emissions-reduction targets and metrics to
evaluate the traffic signal synchronization component's
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effect.
1.Requires a traffic signal synchronization component meet
specified eligibility requirements in existing law to receive
an allocation from the GGRF.
2.Makes findings and declarations about traffic signal
synchronization as a method to reduce GHG.
Background
Traffic signal synchronization . Traffic signal synchronization
is a traffic planning process designed to reduce congestion
along streets. Traditionally, traffic lights adhere to a fixed
light cycle over a set period of time. For example, a traffic
light may have one complete light cycle during the day that
lasts 90 seconds, and a second cycle at night that lasts 60
seconds. Although fixed light cycles efficiently manage
consistent traffic flows, this process is not well suited to
managing variable traffic flow.
Traffic signal synchronization allows for a more variable,
real-time-responsive network of traffic lights that can adapt to
changes in vehicle flow. Proponents of traffic signal
synchronization claim that the process can decrease travel time,
increase travel speed, and reduce vehicle emissions and fuel
consumption.
Implementation of traffic signal synchronization . Over the last
20 years, numerous cities throughout the United States have
implemented traffic signal synchronization as a way to reduce
vehicle congestion on streets and cut emissions. According to
the Institute of Transportation Engineers, a six year traffic
signal optimization program in Portland, Oregon prevented the
release of 157,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The
implementation of traffic signal synchronization in Nashville,
Tennessee led to 1-3% reductions in volatile organic compounds,
nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxides.
Several projects in California have used traffic synchronization
to ease traffic congestion and, ideally, address GHG emissions.
Los Angeles recently completed the synchronization of all of its
approximately 4,400 traffic signals in the city. The Automated
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Traffic Surveillance and Control (ATSAC) system was initiated in
the 1980s in preparation for the 1984 Summer Olympics but was
left uncompleted. Following the passage of Proposition 1B, Los
Angeles received a $150 million allocation to complete the ATSAC
program. Initial results demonstrated an increase in travel
speed by 16% and a reduction in travel time by 12%. Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa estimated that the program would
reduce emissions by 1,000,000 metric tons.
Orange County has implemented two demonstration projects using
Measure M money (generated from a sales transportation tax).
The Measure M Regional Traffic Light Synchronization Program has
awarded $23 million for projects over the last three years.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, no direct
fiscal impacts because a traffic signal synchronization project
that has demonstrable GHG reduction benefits and is included as
part of a sustainable community project is currently eligible
for funding through the GGRF.
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/20/14)
Advantec Consulting Engineers
American Society for Civil Engineers
Automobile Club of Southern California
City of Albany, Vice Mayor Joanne Wile
City of Belmont, City Manager
City of Clovis, Department of Planning and Development Services
City of Dublin, City Manager
City of Fairfield, Public Works Department
City of Monterey, City Hall
City of Sacramento, Vice Mayor Jay Schenirer Econolite
Contra Costa Transportation Authority
Econolite
Institute of Transportation Engineers, Inc.
PHA Transportation Consultants
San Mateo County Transportation Authority
TJKM Transportation Consultants
OPPOSITION : (Verified 8/20/14)
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California Chamber of Commerce
California League of Food Processors
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
California Municipal Utilities Association
California Tax Payers Association
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to supporters, "By adding
traffic synchronization to the eligible list of funds under AB
32 greenhouse gas reduction fund, [?] this important piece of
legislation will decrease traffic congestion and reduce
greenhouse gases." Supporters argue, "There are other ways to
reduce congestions and improve air qualities such as improving
public transit services, promoting alternative mode of
transportation such as adding bike lanes etc. Unfortunately,
these are more of long-term solutions and require significant
capital cost. Adding funding for traffic signal synchronization
projects can provide immediate relief efficiently to the
worsening congestion problem in the Bay Area.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION : According to opponents, "the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds, created by AB 1532 (J. Pérez,
Statutes of 2012, Chapter 807), broadly authorizes all manner of
funding be considered for any and all investments that reduce
GHG emissions from transportation, housing, energy, water,
manufacturers, and local governments, and therefore can easily
be interpreted to include 'traffic signal synchronization'
programs under existing law."
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 70-2, 5/19/14
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Bigelow, Bloom,
Bonilla, Bonta, Bradford, Brown, Buchanan, Ian Calderon,
Campos, Chau, Chávez, Chesbro, Conway, Cooley, Dababneh,
Dahle, Daly, Dickinson, Eggman, Fong, Frazier, Beth Gaines,
Garcia, Gatto, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hagman,
Hall, Harkey, Roger Hernández, Holden, Jones, Jones-Sawyer,
Levine, Linder, Logue, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Medina,
Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Olsen, Pan, John A. Pérez, V.
Manuel Pérez, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas,
Rodriguez, Salas, Skinner, Stone, Ting, Wagner, Waldron,
Weber, Wieckowski, Wilk, Williams, Yamada, Atkins
NOES: Fox, Patterson
NO VOTE RECORDED: Bocanegra, Donnelly, Gorell, Mansoor,
Nazarian, Nestande, Perea, Vacancy
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JA:e 8/17/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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