BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Senator Jim Beall, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: SB 516 Hearing Date: 4/28/2015
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|Author: |Fuller |
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|Version: |4/21/2015 Amended |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant|Randy Chinn |
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SUBJECT: Transportation: motorist aid services.
DIGEST: This bill authorizes funds which would be used to pay
for the operation of freeway call boxes to also be used for
transportation demand management services, litter and debris
removal, and intelligent transportation systems.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
Under current law, local governments are authorized to establish
service authorities for freeway emergencies (SAFEs). Those
authorities may impose a fee of $1 per year on vehicles
registered in the applicable county. Those funds must be used
to pay for the implementation and operation of a call-box system
for motorist aid. Any funds in excess of the call-box system
needs may be spent on additional motorist aid services or
support, including, but not limited to, the following:
Call boxes
Changeable message signs
Lighting for call boxes
Support for traffic operations centers
Contracting for removal of disabled vehicles
This bill removes the priority that the funds must first be used
to pay for a call-box system. It instead allows the funds to
pay for any motor aid services and support, including the
SB 516 (Fuller) Page 2 of ?
following which were not specifically specified under current
law:
Traveler information systems and other transportation demand
management services
Litter and debris removal
Intelligent transportation systems
This bill requires that any plan by the SAFEs to install or
remove call boxes must be reviewed and approved by the
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the
California Highway Patrol (CHP).
1)For aid, not emergencies. Calls from freeway call boxes are
routed directly to the CHP. While the call boxes are a
convenience for the public, they are not good for dire
emergencies. 911 calls, which often go directly to the CHP
from cellphones, are treated as emergencies. Calls from
freeway call boxes have a lesser priority.
2)Who makes the call? Counties in conjunction with their member
cities may establish SAFEs. The SAFEs can be the county
transportation commissions or, in the Bay Area, the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission or, in the greater
Sacramento area, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.
Alternatively, the SAFE can be a stand-alone entity which
shall have seven members, two appointed by the county and five
selected jointly by the cities.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. The author and sponsor believe that call boxes are
becoming an antiquated technology, largely due to cellphones.
Call box usage is down significantly, making the boxes less
cost-effective for taxpayers. Significant advancements in
intelligent transportation systems and mobile technology have
resulted in less expensive motorist aid services. This bill
gives local governments the flexibility to pursue those more
cost-effective alternatives.
2)Call box usage declining. Call box usage is declining in many
areas. The sponsor notes that in Kern County the number of
calls has declined by 75% since the late 1990s. In the Bay
Area, the MTC reports that call box calls have declined by
more than 90% to an average of less than one call per box per
SB 516 (Fuller) Page 3 of ?
month. In Los Angeles, the MTA reports that calls have
declined about 70% since 2004. Caltrans reports an overall
decline of 28% since 2011, consistent with the MTC figures.
Less dramatically, San Luis Obispo County reports that calls
have declined by about one-third since 2007.
3)Intelligent Transportation Systems defined. The U.S.
Department of Transportation defines Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS) as "the application of advanced
information and communications technology to surface
transportation in order to achieve enhanced safety and
mobility while reducing the environmental impact of
transportation. Wireless communication offers a powerful and
transformative opportunity to establish transportation
connectivity that further enables cooperative systems and
dynamic data exchange using a broad range of advanced systems
and technologies."
4)Program purpose. The program this bill amends was created to
enable motorists in need of aid to obtain assistance. The
near ubiquity of cellphones has undoubtedly contributed to the
sharp decline in call volumes. In those circumstances it
seems reasonable to allow the local authorities to choose to
spend the limited funding on alternative motorist aid
services. But even along major freeways and highways,
cellphone service may not be available. The bill requires any
proposal to remove call boxes to be reviewed and approved by
Caltrans and the CHP, which should protect against the
inappropriate removal of call boxes. The bill also defines
litter and debris removal as eligible for funding as a
motorist aid service. That activity does not seem consistent
with the program purpose. While litter and debris removal is
a valuable public service, the author and committee may wish
to consider deleting this provision.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on
Wednesday,
April 22, 2015.)
SUPPORT:
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Kern County Council of Governments (sponsor)
Merced County Association of Governments
Transportation Agency for Monterey County
OPPOSITION:
None received
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