P.M. Executive Briefing - May 12
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Drivers Urged to Use Caution Near Big Trucks
Following a Sunday accident in Alberta involving a big rig and a Buick that killed five people in the passenger car, the group Mission Possible Traffic Safety Action says motorists should be aware of how to drive around big trucks, while truckers should be more forgiving in their driving manner."Regardless of who's at fault, the regular passenger vehicle will lose, because of the truck's greater size and mass," said the group's Don Szarko.
California Transportation Needs Not Being Met, Analysts Say
"California Travels: Financing Our Transportation," a new report from the California Legislative Analyst's Office, recommends that $1 billion a year be set aside to meet the state's transportation needs. Legislators have said the roughly $1 billion collected annually in gasoline taxes could be used to fund transportation upgrades rather than going to the general fund.The report also recommended a simpler process for environmental analysis of road projects, toll highways with tolls based on traffic volume, and putting residential areas closer to places of business. The report can be read in its entirety at www.lao.ca.gov. Contra Costa Times (05/12/00) ; Taugher, Mike
Truckers Get Loans
Rhode Island truckers whose vehicles are registered in-state have until May 22 to apply to the state Economic Development Corp. Financial Services Department for loans to help pay for high fuel prices. The state has provided the $5,000, 36-month loans to 36 truckers thus far. Providence Journal (05/12/00)South Florida's Highways About to Get Smarter
Within a year, drivers on Interstate 95 and other major roads in South Florida will be able to get road information through electronic signs, radio stations, telephones, pagers, and the Internet thanks to the SunGuide intelligent transportation system.Traffic management centers in Broward and Palm Beach counties will open by the end of 2005, feeding information provided by road sensors, drivers, police, highway workers, and other sources into the system; eventually, cameras will provide information as well. In addition, more electronic road signs are being added to I-95 and access roads in Miami-Dade County.
Meanwhile, the SunPass electronic toll system is expanding to more tollbooths, reducing congestion there.
Many large U.S. cities, including ones in other parts of Florida, already boast ITS systems, and South Florida is taking an opportunity to learn the best way to create one. Maricopa County, Ariz., which received federal money to be an ITS showcase three years ago, has seen fuel consumption, delays, and accident risk decline on a route running from Scottsdale to Tempe.
In addition to funding the South Florida ITS, the Florida Department of Transportation is spending $70 million on ITS for Florida's Turnpike. Palm Beach Post (05/08/00) P. 1A; McGinness, Chuck
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