BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó






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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                        SB 516|
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                                   THIRD READING 


          Bill No:  SB 516
          Author:   Fuller (R)
          Amended:  5/22/15  
          Vote:     21  

           SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE:  11-0, 4/28/15
           AYES:  Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva,  
            McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski

          SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE:  Senate Rule 28.8

           SUBJECT:   Transportation: motorist aid services


          SOURCE:    Kern County Council of Governments
          
          DIGEST:  This bill authorizes funds which have been used to pay  
          for the operation of freeway call boxes to also be used for  
          transportation demand management services, intelligent  
          transportation systems and safety-related hazard and obstruction  
          removal.

          Senate Floor Amendments of 5/22/15 specify that the review and  
          approval by the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the  
          California Highway Patrol (CHP) be made pursuant to the  
          "CHP/Caltrans Call Box and Motorist Aid Guidelines", as  
          specified in existing law; and allow the funds to pay for  
          safety-related hazard and obstruction removal.

          ANALYSIS:   


          Existing law authorizes local governments to establish service  








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          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:

          1)Call boxes

          2)Changeable message signs

          3)Lighting for call boxes

          4)Support for traffic operations centers

          5)Contracting for removal of disabled vehicles

          This bill:

          1)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 following  
            which were not specified under current law:

             a)   Traveler information systems and other transportation  
               demand management services

             b)   Intelligent transportation systems

             c)   Safety-related hazard and obstruction removal

          2)Requires that any plan by the SAFEs to install or remove call  
            boxes must be reviewed and approved by the Caltrans and the  
            CHP.

          Comments
          
          Purpose.  The source, Kern Council of Governments, and the  
          author 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  







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          less expensive motorist aid services.  This bill gives local  
          governments the flexibility to pursue those more cost-effective  
          alternatives.

          Call box usage declining.  Call box usage is declining in many  
          areas.  The source 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 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.  

          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.    
           


          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.
          
          FISCAL EFFECT:   Appropriation:    No          Fiscal  
          Com.:YesLocal:   No


          SUPPORT:   (Verified5/26/15)


          Kern Council of Governments (source)
          Merced County Association of Governments







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          San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
          Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission
          Transportation Agency for Monterey County


          OPPOSITION:   (Verified5/26/15)


          None received




          Prepared by:Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121
          5/27/15 16:00:59


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