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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