BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 1581|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 1581
Author: Fuller (R)
Amended: 7/12/07 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 9-0, 6/26/07
AYES: Lowenthal, McClintock, Ashburn, Cedillo, Dutton,
Harman, Kehoe, Torlakson, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Corbett, Simitian
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 16-0, 7/9/07
AYES: Torlakson, Cox, Aanestad, Ashburn, Battin, Cedillo,
Corbett, Dutton, Florez, Kuehl, Oropeza, Ridley-Thomas,
Runner, Steinberg, Wyland, Yee
NO VOTE RECORDED: Simitian
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 73-0, 5/17/07 (Consent) - See last page
for vote
SUBJECT : Traffic-actuated signals that detect
motorcycles and bicycles
SOURCE : ABATE of California, Inc.
DIGEST : This bill requires cities and counties, upon
first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement
of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, to
install those signals that detect motorcycle and bicycle
traffic on the roadway.
CONTINUED
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ANALYSIS : Existing law defines an "official traffic
control signal" to be any device, whether manually,
electronically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic
is alternatively directed to stop or proceed and which is
erected by the authority of a public body or official
having jurisdiction.
There are two general types of traffic signal devices:
pre-timed and traffic-actuated. Pre-timed controllers
actuate a pre-determined, regularly repeated signal
sequence, whereas traffic-actuated only actuate at the
presence of traffic. Traffic-actuated signals are most
appropriate for intersections with irregular traffic volume
or where it is desirable to minimize interruptions to the
flow of traffic on the street carrying the heavier volume
of traffic.
Standards for traffic signs and signals are enumerated in
the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,
which the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) adopts
administratively.
This bill requires, to the extent feasible, cities and
counties to install, upon the first placement of a
traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector
of a traffic-actuated signal, a signal that is capable of
detecting lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the
roadway. This bill stipulates that cities and counties
shall not be required to comply with this provision until
Caltrans has established uniform standards, specifications,
and guidelines for the detection of bicycles by
traffic-actuated signals.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: Yes
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Fund
Caltrans guidelines minor and absorbable
costsSpecial*
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Local signals (mandate) unknown reimbursable
mandate General
costs, potentially over $150,
beginning in 2008-09
* State Highway Account
SUPPORT : (Verified 7/12/07)
ABATE of California, Inc. (source)
Automobile Club of Southern California
California State Automobile Association
California Traffic Safety Institute
East Bay Bicycle Coalition
I Drive Safely
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
National Association of Driving Safety Educators
Orange County Bicycle Coalition
Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
many traffic signals currently in use in California are
traffic-actuated. These signals help to manage traffic
flow and eliminate needless delays. Currently, many
traffic-actuated signals do not detect motorcycle or
bicycle traffic. Loop detectors embedded in the roadway
respond to metal mass, and there is often insufficient
metal in bicycles or motorcycles to actuate the signal.
Since the signal will not respond, the cyclist must choose
between waiting for a car to arrive that will actuate the
signal or running a red light. By requiring local
governments to install more sensitive loop detectors upon
the first placement or replacement of a traffic-actuated
signal, this bill helps to ensure that bicyclists and
motorcyclists are able to adhere to traffic signals and
safely proceed through an intersection.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR :
AYES: Adams, Aghazarian, Anderson, Arambula, Bass, Beall,
Benoit, Berg, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Brownley, Caballero,
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Charles Calderon, Carter, Cook, Coto, Davis, De La Torre,
De Leon, DeSaulnier, DeVore, Duvall, Dymally, Emmerson,
Eng, Evans, Feuer, Fuller, Gaines, Galgiani, Garcia,
Garrick, Hancock, Hayashi, Hernandez, Horton, Houston,
Huff, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Karnette, Keene,
Krekorian, La Malfa, Laird, Leno, Levine, Lieber, Lieu,
Ma, Maze, Mendoza, Mullin, Nakanishi, Nava, Niello,
Parra, Plescia, Portantino, Sharon Runner, Salas,
Saldana, Smyth, Solorio, Spitzer, Strickland, Swanson,
Torrico, Tran, Walters, Wolk, Nunez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Price, Richardson, Ruskin, Silva, Soto,
Villines, Vacancy
JJA:mw 7/12/07 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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