BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 2542 Hearing Date: June 14,
2016
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|Author: |Gatto |
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|Version: |3/15/2016 |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant|Manny Leon |
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SUBJECT: Streets and highways: reversible lanes
DIGEST: This bill requires that, prior to the California
Transportation Commission (CTC) approving a capacity-increasing
project or major street or highway lane-realignment project, the
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) or a regional
transportation planning agency must demonstrate that reversible
lanes were considered for the project.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
1)Vests CTC with responsibility to advise and assist the
Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency and
the Legislature in formulating and evaluating state policies
and plans for California's transportation programs.
2)Requires the CTC to, among other things, adopt the state
transportation improvement program and allocate transportation
capital funds to specific projects in the program, for each
major phase of a project.
3)Declares that it is the policy of the state that public
agencies should not approve projects as proposed if there are
feasible alternatives or feasible mitigation measures
available which would substantially lessen the significant
environmental effects of such projects.
AB 2542 (Gatto) Page 2 of ?
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. The author notes, "Existing law does not prohibit
the use of reversible lanes, but it also does not encourage
the use of them as well. AB 2542 will encourage the use of
reversible lanes when they are the best option. Reversible
lanes reduce congestion and prevent unnecessary road
expansions. Road expansions can exacerbate our infrastructure
backlog and have detrimental effects on the environment."
1)What are reversible lanes? Reversible lanes add
peak-direction capacity to a two-way road and decrease
congestion by utilizing available lane capacity from the other
(off-peak) direction. The lanes are particularly beneficial
where the cost to increase capacity is especially expensive
(e.g., bridges, dense urban areas).
2)Existing practices. The introduction of reversible lanes in
California occurred in 1963 when the Golden Gate Bridge
established this process to reduce severe traffic during peak
traffic times. Over the years, in addition to the Golden Gate
Bridge, reversible lanes have been used on the San
Diego-Coronado Bridge, Interstate 15 in San Diego, and, until
recently, in the Caldecott Tunnel. Other states that utilize
reversible lanes on their highway systems include New York,
Florida, and Pennsylvania. Additionally, the use of
reversible lanes is increasing, for example, during large
sporting events, traffic incidents, construction, and
evacuations.
While Caltrans already provides guidance regarding
consideration for the use of reversible lanes, the concept is
not without its critics. Reports have indicated that
reversible lanes are specifically ideal only where a very
strong and defined travel pattern exists. Other shortfalls
include potential negative business impacts along the route
and an increased potential for vehicle accidents. However,
this bill merely requires Caltrans or a local agency to
demonstrate they have considered reversible lanes when seeking
the approval of specific projects from CTC.
Assembly Votes:
Floor: 78-0
AB 2542 (Gatto) Page 3 of ?
Approps: 20-0
Trans: 15-0
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday,
June 8, 2016.)
SUPPORT:
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (if
amended)
OPPOSITION:
None received
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