MINUTES OF A DEFINITION OF NEEDS, RESOURCES AND REVENUES
COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE
GOVERNOR’S TRANSPORTATION VISION 21 TASK FORCE
1:30p.m., Wednesday, October 27, 1999
Arizona State Capitol
Executive Tower
2nd Floor State Reception Room
Phoenix, Arizona
The Governor’s Transportation Vision 21 Task Force met in official session for a Definition of Needs, Resources and Revenues Committee Meeting at 1:30p.m., Wednesday, October 27, 1999 with Ms. Barbara Ralston presiding. Other members in attendance were Steve Basila, John Bivens, Joe Herrick, Gary Knight, John Mawhinney, Jim Simmons, Lela Steffey, Frank Thorwald and Steve Wheeler. Also present were Stephanie Bondeson, Transportation Planner, and John Carlson, Governor’s Transportation Advisor.
Welcome, Introductions
Ms. Ralston called the meeting to order and all present joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Ralston reviewed the handouts provided to members.
Board Action: A motion to approve the September 9, 1999 meeting was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
Comments from Local Elected Officials and from the Public
Mr. Joe Albo, Director, Department of Public Safety, addressed the board concerning issues DPS faces. He provided members with a brief history of the department and a description of its current structure. He described in detail the Police Allocation Model and suggested staffing plans. He explained that the factors used to calculate staffing levels include miles of roadway, patrol speed, patrol interval, patrol coverage per week and shift length. He stated that additional factors considered include supervisory time, shift relief and the average number of on-duty hours per year. In conclusion, Mr. Albo stated that the department is requesting 65 new law enforcement personnel and anticipates requesting funding in the future for the remaining positions indicated in the Police Allocation Model.
A committee member asked if DPS saw motorist assistance as a drain on their primary objective and, if so, what could be done. He also asked how the department was staffed as compared to other states. Mr. Albo stated it was difficult to make comparisons between the states. He explained that the department did not mind assisting motorists, but that given their limited resources, it is not the best utilization.
Mr. Thorwald asked what effect the use of video cameras would have. Mr. Albo stated that a fiber optic link currently exists between the ADOT freeway management system and the DPS dispatch center. He explained that one advantage of that system is that someone in the dispatch center can direct officers as to the most efficient route to get to a situation. Mr. Albo stated that he believes ADOT's system has improved their use of their messaging system.
Ms. Ralston asked if the department is adequately funded to support the salary structure of the existing officers. Mr. Albo stated that they are.
Mr. Albo then addressed the committee on the issue of motorist assistance. He stated the department would like to expand their motorist assistance program. He explained the program has several volunteer members, but that there is a need for additional DPS employees. He reviewed their proposed budget increase to fund this program.
Mr. John Mawhinney asked Mr. Albo if the department requires any certain type of background when recruiting officers. Mr. Albo stated that they look for a person with broad life experiences, but they have determined that a college degree, except in terms of promotion, will not make much difference. Mr. Mawhinney then asked if the department has looked at having a traffic enforcement category of officers who are not law enforcement trained and who deal exclusively with traffic situations. Mr. Albo stated they have not looked at that specifically. He explained that you would then have untrained individuals dealing with very risky situations and that it has been determined that certified officers are needed to handle basic law enforcement work. Mr. Mawhinney stated he has heard that as much as 20 percent of all traffic stops are related to a person driving without a license or with a suspended license and asked Mr. Albo if he agreed with this estimate. Mr. Albo stated he did not know the exact statistic, but that it is a routine occurrence.
Mr. Carlson stated that ADOT and DPS are looking at the issue of people’s propensity to drive without a valid license. He also stated that the Governor’s office recognizes the benefit of increasing the number of officers at DPS.
Mr. Albo explained that, in the past, aircraft has not been utilized as effectively as it could have been.
Mr. Albo reviewed the June 16, 1999 Rural Incident Management Plan that outlines the actions being taken by DPS and ADOT to better manage rural incidents.
Mr. Thorwald asked Mr. Albo his opinion on daytime versus nighttime construction as far as limiting traffic patterns. Mr. Albo stated that nighttime construction seems to work out well in the appropriate settings.
Mr. Albo stated, in response to Ms. Steffey’s question, that he does not feel there is duplication between DPS and the Sheriff’s office. He explained that they do back each other up when needed. Mr. Carlson stated that it has been stated in legislation that the Sheriff’s office cannot use HURF monies to pay for officers.
Mr. Mawhinney asked if there are any devices utilized by officers in tracking motorists that are not detectable by other devices used by motorists to detect the presence of officers on the road. Mr. Albo stated VASCAR cannot get picked up and he’s not aware of anything out there that cannot be defeated by law enforcement.
Mr. Mawhinney asked if DPS has any intergovernmental agreements with sheriff offices and cities to bring law enforcement to areas that DPS does not have the resources to cover. Mr. Albo stated that they do, but that if their proposal is approved, additional resources would be made available to areas that are currently not patrolled.
Mr. Albo played a video highlighting the aspects of the Department of Public Safety.
Ms. Mary Lynn Tischer introduced the issue of state highway system needs. She then introduced Mr. Dale Buskirk who provided a more detailed analysis of the needs for the state highway system. He stated that improvements, maintenance, structures, traffic interchanges and new facilities have all been identified as needs. Mr. Buskirk reviewed the Highway Performance Monitoring System. He stated that over seven billion dollars is required to maintain the system at minimum tolerable standards. Mr. Buskirk reviewed the proposed standards and their effect on the funds required.
Mr. Mawhinney asked Mr. Buskirk the percentage the state highway system versus the rest of the roadways in the state in terms of mileage and traffic volumes. Mr. Buskirk stated that the amount of mileage on the state system is a relatively small, however, the system carries a very large percentage of traffic in the state. Mr. Carlson stated he would provide the actual numbers related to this question.
Mr. Thorwald questioned what it would cost to maintain roadways to the standards they were designed for. Mr. Buskirk stated it would be significantly more than the seven billion dollars identified to bring roadways to minimum tolerable levels. In his judgement, Mr. Buskirk guessed it would take approximately $20-21 million.
Mr. Buskirk stated that recently ADOT has been directed to delete federal highway miles from the state highway system.
Mr. Mawhinney asked how the flow of traffic is determined. Mr. Buskirk stated it is measured by a volume to capacity ratio. Ms. Tischer explained that the HPMS system compares the highest and lowest six-hour periods, but that there are other measuring systems that measure the length of time of congestion. Mr. Mawhinney asked Ms. Tischer if ADOT has any mitigating efforts aimed at reducing congestion. Ms. Tischer stated there is a significant thrust in this area and the reason for the five-year plan. She explained that the information presented at this meeting was not intended to reflect efforts in this area.
Mr. Thorwald asked what it would cost to maintain roadways if they were already at their original level of standard. Ms. Tischer stated she would have to look at that, but it would probably be close to the number stated in the presentation.
Mr. Bivens asked if raising the levels to minimum acceptable standards would double the estimated costs. Mr. Buskirk stated that was correct. Ms. Tischer offered to bring those numbers to the committee when they have been compiled.
Steve Basila asked what sources for information were utilized for driving costs and what provisions were made for inflation. Mr. Buskirk stated they used the ADOT Construction Cost Manual to cost the projects triggered by the HPMS analytic package. He explained that the ADOT Construction Cost Manual is based on the past five years’ construction costs.
Ms. Ralston asked if it would be fair to assume that the same costs associated with the State Highway System could be overlaid to the roadways outside of ADOT’s control. Mr. Buskirk stated it was roughly equal.
Mr. Mawhinney asked Mr. Buskirk if the information regarding pavement preservation presented at the last meeting matched their findings. Mr. Buskirk stated that if they used the minimum acceptable standards for pavement, it would be comparable to the model presented at the last meeting.
Ms. Ralston asked if the funds needed are in terms of future dollars. Mr. Buskirk stated they are in today’s dollars and would need to be inflated.
Ms. Steffey stated that the difference between minimum tolerable and minimum acceptable standards would need to be graphically shown to the public if they intend to ask for additional funding.
Mr. Bivens stated ADOT needs to help bridge the difference between plans that are prepared at the local level that are fiscally constrained to those that are expressed through the needs process. Ms. Tischer stated that the HPMS model is used nationally and does show an unconstrained need. Mr. Buskirk stated that they can run the model using sample data from city streets and county roads. Ms. Ralston stated they may ask for that.
Mr. Simmons stated the presentation was well done, however, it emphasizes the need for an independent consultant. Mr. Carlson stated they are working to get someone on board.
Ms. Ralston asked that members review the draft committee progress report and submit any comments on the content to Mr. McGuire and Ms. Bondeson.
Call to the Public
Mr. Blue Crawley, citizen, addressed the committee on bicycle transportation and mass transit. He stated he wants bicycle and pedestrian sensitivity and 24 hour bus service.
Mr. Joe Ryan, citizen, spoke regarding multimodal mass transit. He suggested that when planning, they look at a 100-year plan and take into consideration where water will be available. He also stated that a profit making rapid transit system would save money and even bring taxes into the state.
Mr. Mawhinney asked Mr. Carlson how ADOT contracts for roads. Mr. Carlson stated this issue is being looked at as part of the Vision contract. Mr. Mawhinney also asked who would look into other ways to mitigate harmful effects of congestion. Mr. Carlson stated there are a number of things being done at both the state and local levels. He offered to provide additional information on this issue.
Mr. Thorwald recommended ADOT put together a visual on levels of service and pavement conditions at the different levels for a better understanding.
Closing comments and adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 4:30p.m..
Barbara Ralston, Chairperson
