Z-0758.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5760

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Patterson, Horn, Prentice, McAuliffe, Shin, Finkbeiner, Haugen and Kohl‑Welles; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation

Read first time 02/01/2001.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Directing use of intelligent transportation systems and traffic system management.

    AN ACT Relating to use of intelligent transportation systems and traffic system management; adding a new section to chapter 47.05 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that emerging technologies can assist in optimizing the state's large, complex, and increasingly congested transportation system.  Traffic system management (TSM) and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are designed to add capacity without requiring major new infrastructure additions.

    The legislature intends that funding be provided to projects and programs that provide cost-effective means of relieving congestion.  The projects and programs may include, but are not limited to, freeway ramp metering, signal synchronization, patrols dedicated to removal of disabled vehicles from roadways, and highway messaging signs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 47.05 RCW to read as follows:

    The commission shall allocate at least five percent of the funds appropriated to the improvement program for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and traffic system management (TSM) projects and programs that improve system performance and capacity.  The projects and programs may include, but are not limited to, the following:  Traffic and incident management, which includes freeway on-ramp metering; signal synchronization; intersection modification; priority treatment for high-occupancy and transit vehicles; and roving service patrols designed to quickly remove disabled vehicles from roadways.  Projects and programs selected for funding under this section must undergo a benefit/cost analysis that yields benefits greater than one to one.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001.

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