LAO 2001-02 Budget Analysis: Transportation Issue-By-Issue Analysis of the 2001-02 Budget Bill
Transportation Issue-By-Issue Contents

Overview

Spending by Major Program

Major Budget Changes

Crosscutting Issues

Condition of Transportation Funds

The SHA Cash Balance Projected to Fall

Traffic Congestion Relief Program Projected to Provide More Funding Than Anticipated

The PTA Shortfall Averted; Substantial Funds Available for Legislative Priorities

Departmental Issues

Special Transportation Programs (2640)

State Transit Assistance

Purpose and Priorities of STA

How STA Is Funded and Distributed

How STA Program Functions

The STA Program Meets Legislative Priorities

Program's Role Is Diminishing

State Should Reexamine Role of Assisting Public Transportation

Four Options for STA

Department of Transportation (2660)

Traffic Congestion Relief Program

Implementation of Congestion Relief Program Will Take Many Years

Highway Transportation

Major Increase in Proposed Highway Program Expenditures

Project Delivery

Caltrans Should Measure Its Performance Using A Fixed Project Delivery Target

Project Delivery Leaves Room for Improvement

Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program Relatively on Schedule; Toll Bridge Repairs Delayed

Completing Environmental Documents on Schedule Still a Challenge

Department Should Respond to Recommendations on Project Delivery

Project Delivery Will Partly Depend on Vacancies and Contracting Out

Capital Outlay Support Request Will Be Amended

Legislative Oversight: Project Delivery Reports Not Submitted

Legislative Oversight: Report on Training Program Overdue

Traffic Operations

Electronic Toll Collection Not Yet Fully Tested

More Oversight Needed for Transportation Management Centers

Caltrans Needs to Better Maintain Traffic Management Infrastructure

Information Technology at Caltrans: An Assessment

Department's IT Strategic Plan Needs Updating

Caltrans' Information Technology Needs Reorganization

Network Infrastructure Project: Benefits Fall Short

Advanced Traffic Management System: Development Lacked Coordination

Clear Definition of IT Needed

Statewide Strategy for Traffic Information Systems Needed

Intercity Rail Program

Ridership Increases, As Do State Costs

Long-Range Plan Envisions Major Service Expansion at Great Cost

Significant Policy Implications From Long-Range Plan

Ridership Increase Could Be Substantially Less Than Projected

Budget Request Begins to Implement Ten-Year Rail Plan

Based on Ridership Performance, Not All Capital Improvements Justified

Expansion of Service on San Joaquin Corridor Not Justified

Expansion of Service on Segments of Capitol Corridor Premature

Operating Costs for Existing Intercity Rail Service

Rural Transit

Rural Transit System Grant Program

Other Issues

Department Should Report on New Plan to Maintain Historic Properties

High-Speed Rail Authority (2665)

Preliminary Environmental Review Initiated

California Highway Patrol (2720)

Expansion of Traffic Congestion Relief Efforts Overfunded

Pilot Project Fails to Expand Non-English Outreach Efforts

Existing Funds Available for Data Collection Grants Through 2001-02

Department of Motor Vehicles (2740)

Fraud Persists in Driver License Program

Unused Computer Terminal Replacement Funds Should Be Redirected

Replacement Office Should Be Procured by Capital Outlay, Not Lease With Purchase Option