SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5760
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Transportation, March 8, 2001
Title: An act relating to use of intelligent transportation systems and traffic system management.
Brief Description: Directing use of intelligent transportation systems and traffic system management.
Sponsors: Senators Patterson, Horn, Prentice, McAuliffe, Shin, Finkbeiner, Haugen and Kohl‑Welles; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/14/01, 3/8/01 [DPS, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5760 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, McAuliffe, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senators Johnson and McDonald.
Staff: Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)
Background: The Legislature and the Governor formed the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation in 1998 to assess the local, regional and state transportation system; ensure that current and future money is spent wisely; make the system more accountable and predictable; and prepare a 20-year plan for funding and investing in the transportation system. The commission consisted of 46 members representing business, labor, agriculture, tribes, government, ports, shipping, trucking, transit, rail, environmental interests and the general public.
The commission made 18 recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Recommendation Five outlined several ways to invest in maintenance, preservation, and improvement of the entire transportation system so that transportation benchmarks can be achieved. The commission found that one method for optimizing the transportation system was to implement Transportation System Management (TSM) and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) policies where cost-effective.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must consider spending funds appropriated to the improvement program for ITS and TSM projects and programs that improve system performance and capacity. The projects and programs may include: freeway on-ramp metering, signal synchronization and roving service patrols that quickly remove disabled vehicles from roadways. The WSDOT must report to the Governor and the Legislature on the amount of funds spent on ITS and TSM projects.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: An annual reporting requirement is added.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2001.
Testimony For: Decreasing difficulties on the existing system can improve the system. Investment in these technologies will result in a recognizable improvement in transportation. ITS is an effective solution to congestion.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Dale Steadman, BRCT (pro); Paula Hammond, WSDOT (pro).