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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Campos
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
2-6-08
HB
SHORT TITLE Intelligent Transportation System Promotion
SM 55
ANALYST Aubel
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)
FY08
FY09 FY10 3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
Total
$.01*
$.01* Non-Recurring Various
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
*Minimal
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Memorial 55 requests the governor establish a planning committee to evaluate New
Mexico’s progress toward developing intelligent transportation systems and to make
recommendations on strategies to support and maintain continued development. SM 55 specifies
that the committee include both state officials and public members who have expertise in the
fields of transportation, information technologies, public safety and economic development.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
Senate Memorial 55 would impose minimal operating costs on the state agencies participating in
the intelligent transportation planning committee to organize and perform the evaluation and
make recommendations.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Wikipedia defines “intelligent transportation system" as follows:
The term intelligent transportation system (ITS) refers to efforts to add information and
communications technology to transport infrastructure and vehicles in an effort to
manage factors that typically are at odds with each other, such as vehicles, loads, and
pg_0002
Senate Memorial 55 – Page
2
routes to improve safety and reduce vehicle wear, transportation times and fuel
consumption.
The federal Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) coordinates the U.S.
Department of Transportation's (DOT) research programs and is charged with advancing the
deployment of cross-cutting technologies to improve the nation’s transportation system. As
directed by the U.S. Congress in its founding legislation, RITA leads DOT in:
•
Coordinating, facilitating and reviewing the Department’s research and development
programs and activities;
•
Advancing innovative technologies, including intelligent transportation systems;
•
Performing comprehensive transportation statistics research, analysis and reporting; and
•
Providing education and training in transportation and transportation-related fields.
RITA identifies two areas of ITS as follows:
Intelligent Infrastructure
•
Arterial Management Systems
•
Freeway Management Systems
•
Transit Management Systems
•
Incident Management Systems
•
Emergency Management systems
•
Information management
•
Crash Prevention & Safety
•
Roadway Operations & Maintenance
•
Road Weather Management
•
Commercial Vehicle Operations
Intelligent Vehicles
•
Collision Avoidance Systems
•
Driver Assistance Systems
•
Collision Notification Systems
RITA identifies achievable benefits within these categories that improve the safety and
performance of surface transportation systems.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) notes that its ITS Bureau has been
responsible for developing and implementing ITS in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning
Area. The agency states this program has been accomplished with the consensus of stakeholders
from transportation and enforcement agencies in Albuquerque, Sandoval County, Rio Rancho
and Bernalillo County. NMDOT also relates that the ITS subcommittee of the Mid Region
Council of Governments solicits, on a continuous basis, the input and involvement of affected
agencies in the Albuquerque metro area.
NMDOT maintains that because of strict federal guidelines and requirements, the proposed
committee’s efforts will need to be closely coordinated with federal ITS programs to maintain
technological uniformity.
pg_0003
Senate Memorial 55 – Page
3
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
Senate Memorial 55 requests the committee evaluate the progress of development of the state’s
ITS and make recommendations, but does not indicate to whom such recommendations should
be made and by when.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
NMDOT notes the following concern:
The Federal Highway Administration requires NMDOT to retain full funding authority of
all projects when using federal dollars. Additionally, priorities are determined through an
established process that NMDOT is required to adhere to (1) in order to comply with
federal guidelines; and (2) to access federal dollars for projects. When establishing the
roles and responsibilities of the committee, it would be advisable to take this into account
in effort to avoid the possibility of placing federal funds at risk.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
NMDOT concludes that the Memorial’s intent is to raise the awareness of what ITS can do and
what is needed to make ITS successful; if HM 55 not enacted, ITS will continue to operate
“under the radar" and the potential benefits realized elsewhere will not be available to New
Mexico.
MA/mt