SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2291

           AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 2, 1992

Brief Description:  Regulating the use of optical strobe light devices controlling traffic lights.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Betrozoff and Zellinsky)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Erwin, W. Hansen, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Skratek, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild.

Staff:  Brian McMorrow (786‑7304)

Hearing Dates: February 26, 1992; March 2, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Optical strobe lights are devices used by emergency vehicles that emit an optical signal at a specific frequency to a traffic control light, enabling an emergency vehicle to assume the right of way at intersections.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation's maintenance vehicles may use optical strobe light devices to perform maintenance tests on traffic control lights.

Public transit agencies may use optical strobe light devices in public transit vehicles to accelerate the cycle of the traffic control light.  Public transit vehicles operating an optical strobe light must yield to emergency vehicles when simultaneously approaching the same traffic signal.

The Washington State Patrol is given rule making authority.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill permits WSDOT to service optical strobe light devices on traffic control signals.  It also permits transit agencies to quicken the traffic light cycle, giving transit vehicles an advantage over automobiles.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jim Spaid, DOT; Tim Erickson, WSP; Dan Snow, WSTA