WSR 14-13-111 PROPOSED RULES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Filed June 18, 2014, 9:01 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 13-23-004.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 468-46-010 Engineering and traffic investigation of request for transit vehicle stop zone, revise to allow approval of in-lane transit vehicle stops on state highways.
WAC 468-46-020 Secretary of transportation or designee to approve transit vehicle stop zones, revise to allow approval of in-lane transit vehicle stops on state highways.
WAC 468-46-060 Elimination of transit vehicle stop zones, repeal as this rule specifically required the reduction of in-lane transit vehicle stops.
Hearing Location(s): 310 Maple Park Avenue, Commission Board Room, Room 1D2, Olympia, WA 98504, on July 31, 2014, at 1:30 p.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: July 31, 2014.
Submit Written Comments to: MaryLou Nebergall, P.O. Box 47329, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail nebergm@wsdot.wa.gov, fax (360) 704-6381, by July 28, 2014.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) reception by July 28, 2014, TTY 711 or (360) 705-7000.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In response to requests from transit agencies, WSDOT seeks more flexibility to allow in-lane transit vehicle stops when appropriate and provide consistent language in rules that determine when and where a transit vehicle may stop temporarily in a roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: In-lane transit vehicle stops eliminate the need for buses to merge into traffic from a pullout which may increase the reliability of the bus service schedule.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.61.560.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: WSDOT development and traffic divisions, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: MaryLou Nebergall, 310 Maple Park Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 705-7458; Implementation and Enforcement: John Nisbet, 310 Maple Park Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 705-7280.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Proposed revisions only affect locations and requirements for transit vehicle stop locations.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. There are no additional costs associated with the proposed revisions.
June 18, 2014
Kathryn W. Taylor
Assistant Secretary
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 79-01-033, filed 12/20/78)
WAC 468-46-010 Engineering and traffic investigation of request for transit vehicle stop zone.
When requesting a transit vehicle stop zone outside of any incorporated city or town, the public transit agency shall be responsible for conducting a field review to evaluate accessibility to the proposed location. When the requested location is within the roadway, the transit agency shall have a policy for in-lane stops that addresses safety and operational issues. Upon receipt of a request from a public transit authority for approval of a transit vehicle stop zone outside of any incorporated city or town, the department of transportation shall ((conduct an engineering and traffic investigation in an attempt to find a suitable location at which transit vehicles may stop wholly off the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers)) assess the sight distance at the proposed location.
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 79-01-033, filed 12/20/78)
WAC 468-46-020 Secretary of transportation or designee to approve transit vehicle stop zones.
((Should such a location not be found within a reasonable or practical distance suitable to the transit authority needs, and the public convenience requires that transit vehicles temporarily stop upon the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers,)) The secretary of transportation or any assistant secretary or district engineer to whom the secretary has delegated the authority, may approve a transit vehicle stop zone ((at the most suitable location available having adequate sight distance based upon engineering judgment, with stopping sight distance as a minimum. The secretary of transportation may approve transit vehicle stop zones at locations not meeting the above requirements)) that conforms to WAC 468-46-010 or where the secretary deems the circumstances warrant such exceptions.
REPEALER
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
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