Title: An act relating to improving traffic flagger safety.

Brief Description: Creating a pilot project to evaluate the use of electronic traffic flagging devices.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Jacobsen, Pflug, Haugen and Marr.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/06/08, 2/11/08 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/15/08, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Murray, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Holmquist, Jacobsen, Kastama, Kauffman, Kilmer, King, Pflug, Sheldon and Spanel.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: Traffic flagging personnel are sometimes used by the Department of Transportation (Department) when construction or maintenance work impacts an in-use traffic lane. A traffic flagger provides temporary traffic control. Due to their proximity to the traveled roadway, flaggers tend to be more exposed to traffic hazards than other highway workers. Other methods to provide temporary traffic control include signage, using a pilot car to lead traffic through a workzone or using an electronic traffic flagging device.

Summary of Bill: The Department must implement a pilot project to evaluate the benefits of using electronic flagging devices. The Department must submit a report to the transportation committees of the Legislature on the best use of electronic traffic flagging devices and recommendations for future use by June 30, 2009.

Appropriation: $100,000.

Fiscal Note: Requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: These devices can keep traffic flagger personnel safer. This bill will help raise awareness of traffic flagging devices as an alternative to using flagger personnel in the roadway.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Bret Goss, First Call Flagger Inc.