BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 516| |Office of Senate Floor Analyses | | |(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | | |327-4478 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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 SB 516 Page 2 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 SB 516 Page 3 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 SB 516 Page 4 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 **** END ****