FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

STATE ROAD FUND

Sources of Revenue:

Special Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


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


The annual number of requests for speed bumps is estimated to remain static at 500/year for an estimated $137,500. The cost to maintain the speed bumps and replace warning signs, however, will increase each year as the number of speed bumps are installed. In the five year estimated provided below, the DOH engineers believe that the total cost to install and maintain the bumps and signs to be approximately $1,347,500 for a five year period.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2009
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2010
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 181,500 225,500 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


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


Cost of Each Speed Bump: Asphalt for 10' long bump 40 Manpower & Equipment 160 Warning Signs each direction 300 Total Cost Per Speed Bump $500 Estimated Requests Per Year: 50 Requests x 10 districts x $500/bump = $137,500 Estimated 20% maintenance loss 27,500 (snowplow removal general wear) Estimated 20% Cost for sign replacement: 16,500 Total 1st Year Cost $181,500 The cost of new speed bumps is anticipated to remain static at 500/yr for a total of $137,500. The cost of replacement bumps and signs, however, will increase each year as the number of speed bumps increases. Thus, engineers estimated the replacement costs for bumps and signs for the first five years to be: Bump Sign Total Year Replacement Replacement (inc/new bumps) 1 27,500 16,500 181,500 2 55,000 33,000 225,500 3 82,500 49,500 269,500 4 110,000 66,000 313,500 5 137,500 82,500 357,500 Grand Total for 5 Yrs: New Bumps + Bump Replacement + Sign Replacement (687,500) + 412,500 + 247,500 = 1,347,500



Memorandum


The DOH does not install speed bumps on roads for several reasons: 1. Not Approved by MUTCD: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices was developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and sets the national standards for highway signage and traffic control. Speed bumps are NOT APPROVED as a traffic device in the MUTCD. 1.Drainage: Installation of a speed bump can cause stormwater to be redirected or ponded behind the raised bump. This can divert the water from its proper path (ditches and inlets) and may cause erosion of the roadway shoulder or adjacent property. Also, water ponded behind the bump or tracked by vehicles, can freeze and create a hazard. 2. Snow Removal/Ice Control: Since the speed bump is raised above the pavement, it prevents proper snowplowing and treatment of the roadway. Alternatively, the speed bump may be torn out by the snowplow. 3. Interference w/Emergency Vehicles: The speed bump can cause considerable jolt to a fire truck or other emergency crews, as well as to the patient in an ambulance. Also, in order to avert the jolt, it will delay emergency responses. 4. Avoidance by Drivers: Quite often, drivers will try to avoid the bump by swerving off of the road to keep two and possible all four tires from crossing the bump. This will result in damage to the roadway shoulders, ditches, and adjacent property. 5. Hazards to Motorcyclist, Bicyclists & Pedestrians: Speed bumps can cause a loss of control by motorcyclists and bicyclists and create a tripping hazard for pedestrians.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Kathy Holtsclaw
    Email Address: Kathy.J.Holtsclaw@wv.gov