FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: January 10, 2018
Time Requested: 02:49 PM
Agency: Highways, Division of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1268 Introduced SB96
CBD Subject: Roads and Transportation


FUND(S):

STRD

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Increases Existing Expenses



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


Summarize in a clear and concise manner what impact this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government. With respect to proposed SB96 which requires the Highway Commissioner to increase the speed limit on Interstates and four-lane limited access highways in this state (with the exception of those stretches through municipalities) to 80 MPH. DOH would need to conduct a study as required under §17C-6-2, prior to implementation. The proposed implementation of July 1, 2018 would be an extremely ambitious schedule.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2018
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2019
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 25,000 150,000 175,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 150,000 150,000
Assets 0 0 0
Other 25,000 0 25,000
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


Please explain increases and decreases in personal services, current expenses, repairs and alterations, assets, other costs and revenues, including assumptions and data sources and delineation between start-up and ongoing costs. Please also include a long-range schedule of costs and revenues if fiscal impact is expected to vary in future years. • DOH estimate there are approximately 225 70MPH speed limit signs on the Interstate system including the WV Turnpike • While DOH would perform speed studies and review any limiting geometry, for purposes of an estimate, we are assuming that all speed limit signs would be changed and that any curves needing advisory speed limits would be signed with curve warning and potentially chevrons. Chevrons would also be required for any existing curves with advisory speeds of 60 and 65 MPH. • We are aware of at least 76 (60 MPH) curves that would require additional signing, assuming curve warning, advisory and chevrons (assume 10 per curve). • Curve warning/chevrons are all new installations and would require signs and supports. Speed limits would only require changing out the sign on existing supports. • It is estimated that materials, labor and equipment would cost approximately $150,000. • It is estimated that the study to cover 950 miles of Interstates and Expressways would cost approximately $25,000 and will include study of curves (70 & 75 MPH) currently requiring no signing at the existing 70 MPH speed limit. This will require well over 650 new installations and over 200 existing sign modifications which are currently known. A study will likely reveal other locations.



Memorandum


Please identify any areas of vagueness, technical defects, reasons a bill would not have a fiscal impact, and/or any special issues not captured elsewhere on this form. DOH would be remiss if we didn’t mention that there are concerns from a safety perspective should this Bill be adopted. West Virginia has experienced a 37.5 percent reduction in fatalities since 2007 when it began implementation of its Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). No significant portion of this reduction has occurred on the Interstate system nor other four-lane expressways. There is great concern that fatal and severe crashes may increase with an increased speed limit. An April 2016 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study indicates between 1993 and 2013 that, “a 5 mph increase in the maximum state speed limit was associated with an 8% increase in fatality rates on interstates and freeways and a 4% increase on other roads.”



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Lorrie Hodges
    Email Address: lorrie.a.hodges@wv.gov