Public Hearing to Review the Bridge Vehicle Impact Assessment and Examine What Steps New York State Can Take to Prevent Future Bridge Strikes by Commercial Vehicles

Christopher McBride 17 Community Transportation Specialist

AAA New York 18 19 ---oOo--- 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: [Inaudible/technical 2 difficulties.] 3 And to my right, who will soon be here, is 4 Senator Martin Dilan, who is the Ranking Minority 5 Member of the Transportation Committee. 6 I would also like to thank SUNY Farmingdale 7 president, Dr. Hubert Keen, for allowing us to host 8 this Transportation hearing here today. 9 Just for the record, today we are here to 10 discuss a very real problem facing drivers of 11 commercial vehicles and affecting all drivers on our 12 roadways: commercial bridge strikes. 13 Commercial trucks are prohibited from driving 14 on our state parkways because the bridge overpasses 15 do not provide sufficient clearance for them to fit 16 under. 17 However, many trucks are still -- 18 Hello, Senator. 19 However, many trucks are still entering the 20 parkways and striking these bridges. These bridge 21 strikes pose a danger and a major inconvenience to 22 all drivers. 23 They often cause extensive damage which 24 results in lane or road closures which can back up 25 traffic for several hours. Some bridges may even be 1 weakened over time due to the multiple strikes. 2 Currently, there is no specific state law 3 which prohibits striking a bridge. 4 Driving a truck or commercial vehicle on a 5 parkway is a traffic infraction punishable by only a 6 $150 fine. 7 These strikes have been a continuing problem. 8 There have been over 2,000 bridge strikes 9 since 1993. 10 Since 2005, there have been nearly 200 such 11 strikes a year, according to New York State 12 Department of Transportation, and Long. 13 Island is being particularly affected by this 14 problem. 15 More than a quarter of all the bridge strikes 16 from 2010 to 2011 have occurred right here on 17 Long Island, according to a recent "News Day" 18 report. 19 86 percent of all commercial bridge strikes 20 since 1993 have occurred in either in Long Island, 21 New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley, and Buffalo. 22 And just yesterday, a truck slammed into a 23 bridge overpass on the Saw Mill River Parkway in 24 Westchester, spilling debris and diesel fuel all 25 over the road. 1 The result was a closure of the northbound 2 lanes near the accident and massive traffic delays 3 for hours and hours. 4 We're here today to examine the problem. 5 Discussions today will include, but not 6 limited to: 7 The recent influx of bridge strikes by 8 commercial vehicles; 9 Findings from the Bridge Vehicle Impact 10 Assessment Task Force; 11 How commercial vehicle bridge strikes can be 12 prevented; 13 And how the current laws, if necessary, can 14 be enhanced to mitigate occurrence of the bridge 15 strikes. 16 At this time, let me welcome our first 17 speaker, Dr. Anil Kumar Agrawal. 18 Just for the record, will you please state 19 your name and your title, and thank you so much for 20 being here. 21 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Good morning. 22 Thank you, Senator. 23 My name is Anil Kumar Agrawal. 24 I'm a professor of structural engineering, 25 bridge engineering, at The City College of New York. 1 I'm also chair of the ASCE committee on 2 bridge inspection, management, and rehabilitation. 3 And, also, I'm chief editor of the 4 ASCE "Journal of Bridge Engineering." 5 We -- I was the principal investigator for 6 this project, which was started by New York City DOT 7 in 2008. And, the primary goal of the project was 8 to find the factors which were leading to multiple 9 impacts on the same bridge by the trucks. 10 You know, single impact is considered a freak 11 accident, and we're not really -- you know, we could 12 do something. But what New York State DOT was 13 seeing was, that there were multiple impacts on the 14 same bridge, and that was one goal. 15 Another goal was, of course: What are the 16 possible approaches to mitigate, you know, bridge 17 strikes? 18 Like I said, the project was started in 19 February 2008, and we submitted the final report 20 this year, January. 21 And during this course of the project, I also 22 got involved with the Bridge Strike, you know, 23 Mitigation Task Force, which is led by 24 Sergeant Promisel. 25 So, my discussion -- or, my testimony will 1 be, actually, primarily on the study we did: What 2 are the factors which are leading to the bridge 3 strikes? 4 So the first thing we did was, you know, 5 New York State DOT provided us the data. 6 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Can you just pull your 7 microphone closer to you. 8 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Our first goal was 9 to analyze the data on the bridge impacts. 10 New York State had been collecting the data. 11 We analyzed the data, like you see the chart 12 there. 13 That, New York State actually started looking 14 at the data from 1993, but really the systematic 15 collection of the data started somewhere up around 16 2004, 2005. 17 When -- and we see that during that period, 18 on average, there have been, like, 200 strikes a 19 year on the bridges. 20 But we also wanted to study, you know, if 21 this is a problem only to New York, or is it a 22 nationwide problem? 23 So during the course of the study, what we 24 did was, we prepared a very detailed survey that we 25 sent to all the state DOTs across the country, to 1 see if they have done something, they have some 2 data, if this is a problem they also face. 3 And what you see, this map, that, you know, 4 you see, the "red" ones, they indicated that it was 5 a major problem for them. 6 And the "green" ones, they say: Well, we do 7 have a problem, but we are not really very concerned 8 about it. 9 And the "yellow" ones really did not respond. 10 So what we see is, that this is not a problem 11 isolated to New York State. It is a nationwide 12 problem. 13 But what it is noteworthy is that, you know, 14 this study, the amount of data that has been 15 collected, and the analysis that was not done. 16 This is the most comprehensive analysis among 17 all the DOTs. 18 No other DOT had actually conducted this kind 19 of study, you know, spent effort, and then find the 20 factors which lead to, you know, bridges strikes, 21 you know -- 22 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I must say, that in this 23 political environment that we're experiencing right 24 now, I never thought that New York and California 25 would be a "red" state. 1 [Audience laughter.] 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Boy, did I throw you for 3 a curve. 4 [Laughter.] 5 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: So, we -- and 6 essentially, you know, you see the states, they have 7 been experiencing a lot of hits. 8 Some states actually, like Missouri, have 9 more than 2,000 hits, and they still do say that, 10 you know, they don't have a major problem. 11 Other states, they have lesser hits. Like, 12 Florida has a lesser number of hits, but they have 13 damages, a lot of damages, because of trucks. 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: So we're experiencing a 15 national problem here. 16 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: It's a national 17 problem. It's not a, you know, local problem. 18 And I think the solution also has to be at 19 the broader scale -- local scale, but at the broader 20 scale also. 21 Then what we did was, we started looking at 22 the data, and we wanted to see that -- well, 23 New York State said, Well, let's's see where exactly 24 in New York State is the problem. 25 So we, you know, wanted to see, and the goal 1 was, actually, to look at the multiple impacts, not 2 single impact. 3 So we plotted the bridges on the, you know, 4 left-hand of the chart, the bridges that have been 5 hit most of the time. 6 And what you see on the right-hand side is 7 the total number of hits on these bridges. 8 So if you look at the area like Long Island, 9 you know, which is -- you know, Hauppauge, so, you 10 have 53 bridges that have been hit. 11 And this is the data till mid- or sometime 12 2011, that 53 bridges have been hit 341 times. 13 And if you go to Westchester County area, 14 which is New York State DOT Region 8, then what you 15 see is, 77 bridges that have been hit 741 times. 16 So if you add only these two regions, and, 17 you know, count the total impact, you have more than 18 50 percent of the problem that you have all in the 19 [unintelligible]. 20 So during the first year of the study, this 21 was the focus, you know: Look at all the data, all 22 the possible factors which lead to, you know, 23 impact. 24 And, you know, this one trend that we found. 25 And, you know -- 1 Can you go further? 2 Okay, go further. 3 You missed some slides. 4 Go back. 5 And, you know, I think there's some mixup 6 with the slides, but, what we wanted to do was, that 7 we wanted look at further, you know, what -- what 8 area of the New York State we really have a problem. 9 And what we found was, that the four regions 10 of New York State -- you have the Poughkeepsie area, 11 which is the Region 8; you have the Hauppauge area, 12 which is Region 10; and New York City region area; 13 and then, if you go all the way to Buffalo -- that 14 this portions of New York State, if you account for 15 the hits, they account for more than 90 percent of 16 your hits. These are multiple hits. 17 If you look at the Westchester County area, 18 then the hits are on the parkway bridges. 19 Again, Region 10, in the Hauppauge area, you 20 know, most of the hits, you have 95 percent of the 21 hits are on the bridges which are over the parkway, 22 by the over-height trucks. 23 Same as in the New York City area. 24 If you go to Buffalo, then the problem is 25 slightly different. 1 In Buffalo area you have these railroad 2 bridges [unintelligible], and these are like 3 low-height bridges. These bridges are also in the 4 vicinity of the industrial area, where, you know, 5 you have, you know, a serial problem. 6 So, that's what we are finding, that, you 7 know: Did these four regions of New York State, if 8 we really focused, and if we looked at the, you 9 know, the [unintelligible] of the truck from the 10 parkway, which is the [unintelligible] mitigating 11 factor. 12 Over the parkway -- the bridges over the 13 parkway, they're low-height bridges. 14 So the two factors, you know, low-height 15 bridges and, you know, parkway, they go with each 16 other. 17 And this is the factor which is leading to 18 95 percent of the impacts on the bridges that we 19 have. 20 Also, you know, there's another factor, which 21 is very interesting, and, you know, I saw a YouTube 22 video: In New York State, if the height is less 23 than 14 feet, then the State underreports the height 24 by a foot. 25 Now, there's a YouTube video, where the 1 driver is actually recording himself, and he's 2 saying, that: I know this bridge height. And my 3 cargo height is more than the bridge height, but I'm 4 going to go under the bridge anyway. And if I make 5 it, that is good. If I don't make it, then it's 6 going to be messy. 7 And as he is, you know, recording himself, he 8 passes through the bridge, and he says: Well, I 9 made it. 10 The only lucky thing for him was, that I 11 recalculated the distance, was that because 12 New York State underreports, you know, this height 13 by 12 inch, when -- if it less than 14 feet, and his 14 cargo, the difference was only, like, 2 or 3 inches. 15 But this is creating a confusion, because 16 what is happening is, if you look at the state, we 17 did the survey of other states, next to New York is 18 the Montana, which is underreporting by 6 inch, and 19 all other states, they're underreporting by 20 3 inches. 21 So I think where there's confusion, there's a 22 distrust on the part of the drivers, that when they 23 see the sign, they believe that, no, it's actually a 24 height maybe more than that. 25 They don't always know the rule, but they 1 believe that the actual height may be more, but if 2 there's nobody around, I'll just make it. 3 So, that's another factor which is, you know, 4 leading to the problem. 5 Now, New York State troopers, led by 6 Sergeant Promisel, they have been collecting a lot 7 of data. 8 And, you know, what they do, actually, if 9 there's a bridge strike, the State troopers go to 10 the site, he has a form, he collects the data. 11 And the data has been very useful. You know, 12 we wanted to see what really is the other 13 contributing factor. 14 So if you look at the chart, you have, on the 15 left-hand side, is a chart with, you know, what kind 16 of mapping technology that were used. 17 So one chart shows that, you know, they 18 have -- you know, the left-hand chart is for the 19 trucks that have hit the bridge already, and the 20 right-hand chart is for the trucks that were counted 21 by the State troopers on the parkway before they hit 22 the bridge. 23 And what you see is, that in both the two 24 charts, the ones who were using the GPS, the 25 consumer GPS, are the ones, like [unintelligible]. 1 You know, 84 were the ones who hit the bridge, and 2 66 are those who did not hit the bridge. 3 But they are very predominantly using the 4 GPS, consumer GPS. And consumer GPS is not 5 programmed to consider the low height of the 6 bridges. And, that may be taking the drivers, you 7 know, when they don't intend to, but, the GPS may be 8 taking the drivers to the parkway and then, before 9 they realize, they go and hit the bridge. 10 Sometimes they see the bridge, but they have 11 no way, they keep on going, and then they may be 12 hitting the bridge. 13 Also, we wanted to see, you know, where the 14 trucks are coming. 15 So if you look at, again, you know, the 16 left-hand side, that's the trucks that have hit the 17 bridges; right-hand side, they don't hit the bridge, 18 but they were stopped. 19 And if you look at the licensing of the state 20 of the truck, you have only 5 percent trucks are 21 from New York State, the ones who hit the bridges. 22 All the trucks, they come from all over the 23 country. And, there, the 12-inch-high difference 24 may be playing a role, you know, because, you know, 25 their states, it's a lot different. You know, some 1 states do not underreport at all. It's, 2 zero inches, three inches, and six. 3 And New York State is 12 inches all the way. 4 So that's -- and if you see the ones who are 5 caught in the parkways, there are only 7.4 percent 6 of the drivers are from the New York State. 7 All other drivers are from the other states. 8 We also looked at the mitigating options. 9 I think this is a problem which is not, you 10 know, a simple problem. It involves many 11 complicated factors. It's not a problem where you 12 can find a quick fix. It has to be a very 13 broad-based solution. 14 We did do a study, and we felt that you need 15 to look at, from a regulatory point, from 16 technological point, and from educational point, 17 where we could change the mind -- psychological 18 mindset of the truck drivers. 19 They have been using the consumer GPS a lot. 20 So this would be some [unintelligible] to 21 make so they don't use their consumer GPS. 22 Either prohibiting -- or, you know, through 23 the outreach, or one of [unintelligible]. 24 The fines and penalties, again, should be 25 such that it becomes, you know, unattractive for 1 them to go on the parkway. Or, if they are on 2 parkway, then they get off immediately before they 3 hit or they [unintelligible]. 4 One thing we talked about, that, you know, 5 there's a test. Like, you have a CDL test, a 6 commercial driving-license test. Or, you know, you 7 have a continuing education. 8 But, I'm an engineering. You know, engineers 9 are required to take their continuing-education 10 credits for every three years. 11 So if they have a continuing education, and 12 there's a course there, or some model there, where 13 they are, you know, exposed to the risks and 14 problems, and problems related with the consumer 15 GPS, on all these bridges strikes, I think that's 16 going to help in changing the psychological mindset 17 of the drivers. 18 Other thing I was thinking was, that, you 19 know, if you see now that on the parkways and 20 other -- if there's a reckless driver, sometimes I 21 see the sign that: If there's a reckless driver, 22 dial #77 to report, that trucks are not supposed to 23 be on the parkway. 24 So if you could have some kind of system, 25 where, when the people call in, and they say, okay, 1 you know, there's' a, you know, truck on the 2 parkway, I think that can be helpful. 3 And then, so for the technological 4 approaches, I think there are over-height detection 5 systems, which are, you know, basically like a 6 electronic beam. They're laser beams you put over 7 the highway. 8 If the beam is broken by the over-height 9 truck, it will flash the red-light signal, it can 10 inform the police, you know, it flash a sign for the 11 truck to stop. 12 But can be done a lot to actively warn the 13 driver of the risk. 14 So, you know, and that can be very helpful. 15 And what we look at is, that they are a 16 limited number of bridges which are being hit a lot, 17 so, there's a certain geographical region of the 18 state which is being hit a lot. 19 So if we do further study, we collect more 20 data, then we can actually pinpoint which are the 21 entrances where the drivers are entering more, to 22 hit certain bridge, and then we can install these 23 systems on those, you know, ramps. 24 There's a truck GPS already. It's developed 25 by Rand McNally. You know, it costs only $500, and, 1 you could be updating with the maps and your 2 low-height bridge data, probably $20 per month. 3 That's what the company told me. 4 The thing is, if you had this GPS being used 5 in the truck, then the GPS will automatically guide 6 the driver away from the parkway. 7 It can be programmed. It's not something 8 very complicated. 9 Remember, the regular GPS, actually, you 10 could take, and there are open source GPS, you know, 11 we could sit down and write a program which will, 12 you know, move the drivers away from the parkway. 13 So that's another, you know, very effective 14 solution, because now they are being warned that, 15 you know, you have to get out from here. 16 Signs are good. 17 Long Island is little. You know, if you go 18 to Long Island, you having extensive number of 19 signs. 20 I drove on Long Island, one of the ramps, to 21 the [unintelligible] Parkway. I counted 14 signs, 22 but the drivers are still crossing. They're still 23 crossing and going to hit the bridge. 24 So signs, you know, stop being effective at a 25 certain point, but this active approach of, like, 1 you know, the GPS warning in real time to the 2 driver, can play a major role beyond that point. 3 There are a number of different approaches. 4 You can have a bridge-strike mitigation 5 website; 6 Outreaching motor carrier associations; 7 Or outreaching independent operators; 8 Like I talked about, the CDL test; 9 We could have education materials be for, 10 like, the trucking companies, so that they know what 11 are the risks; 12 Driving school can be a very good source. 13 When there's -- you know, people who want to be 14 truck drivers, they go to driving schools. 15 And this is [unintelligible] for nationwide, 16 then a model, because this is a national problem. 17 So if, some way, we could introduce a model in the 18 driving school itself, that when they are going 19 through the training, they go through this course, 20 and they know the risks, and all these thing, what 21 they're supposed to do; what they can do, or what 22 they cannot do, this is really going to help. 23 And, finally, like annual safety course for 24 the drivers, you know, where they -- you know, they 25 look at the safety aspects. And, you know, one of 1 them can be [unintelligible] impact. 2 To conclude: I think the problem is very 3 complex. It requires a, you know, solution from 4 many angles -- multiple agencies, multiple states -- 5 because the trucks come from other states, and they 6 hit the bridges in New York State. 7 So, you know, it has to be done at different 8 angles. 9 Certainly, I mean, the solution will require, 10 you know, committed, you know, resources, labor, 11 budget finance, because they're the measures that 12 have to be implemented by different state agencies, 13 and, you know, they need the resources. 14 I'm a member of this Bridge Strike Task 15 Force, which is, you know, right now, looking at all 16 these three, you know, approaches, and trying to see 17 what are the actions that we could formulate that 18 will be helpful in solving this problem. 19 So I want to thank you for invitation. 20 And I would like to close, finish my 21 testimony, at this point. 22 And, if you have any questions, feel free to 23 ask. 24 25 1 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Well, first of all, thank 2 you very much for your testimony. 3 Can you go back to the map of the 4 United States. 5 Right there. 6 This is obviously a national problem. 7 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 8 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And we see this. 9 I just want to ask a few questions, and I 10 know my colleagues have a few questions. 11 Has anybody on the task force reached out to 12 Google? 13 And the reason I ask that is, we could Google 14 any address in the world now, and it tells you 15 specific things about that address. 16 Wouldn't it make sense to reaching out to 17 Google and making them aware that trucks are not 18 permitted on certain parkways? 19 Because, again, it is a national problem -- 20 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: -- where, when that came 22 up on a Google map, there would be, obviously, a 23 warning which comes out now for certain other areas? 24 Has anybody on the task force reached out to 25 Google? 1 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Well, I mean, I got 2 involved in the task force much later in the study. 3 And the task force is -- again, you know, it's an 4 informal, you know, group of, you know, different 5 operators and agencies which are collaborating to 6 solve the problem. 7 But when we started studying this problem, 8 New York State DOT did outreach, I think NAVTEQ, 9 which provides the data to all the mapping 10 companies, on the low-height bridges. 11 We did have some discussion going, several 12 email exchanges, to NAVTEQ. And what their point 13 was, that, yes, it can be done. You know, the maps, 14 they can incorporate this truck option, where, you 15 know, the truck drivers, you know, can use that. 16 But we -- at that point, we're aware that, 17 you know, GPS is the one which people are using. 18 There very few people who are using the 19 Google maps. 20 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Right. 21 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Or one of these 22 maps. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: You had mentioned in your 24 testimony, and just clarify for me, that the height 25 of the bridges are being underreported? 1 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: So if a bridge is 3 ten feet, it could be shown that it's -- 4 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: A foot below that. 5 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: -- a foot below that. 6 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 7 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 8 Is that a national issue, or just the state 9 issue here in New York? 10 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: I think this is 11 creating a problem, or, at least there's a 12 perception that this may be creating a problem, 13 because we did the survey of all the states, and, 14 you know, it's in our report. 15 So, if you look at how the states underreport 16 the, you know, bridge heights, so, New York State 17 is, technically, the only one which underreports by 18 12 inches. 19 Now, there are states which do not 20 underreport at all. I mean, it's -- you know, the 21 actual height is posted there. So, there's no 22 confusion there. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And is there a reasoning 24 for that? 25 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: You have -- you 1 know, we -- generally, states want to underreport a 2 little bit, because you have the permanent height 3 change, and all those things, so you don't want the 4 trucks going, you know, to hit the bridges. 5 So what commonly the states do, they 6 underreport by 3 inches, which is done by a majority 7 of the states. 8 Beyond 3 inches, we saw Montana, which 9 underreports by 6 inches. 10 And then, you know, we go 12 inches, which is 11 in New York State. 12 Now, why we underreport that, I'm not aware, 13 but this has been for quite some time. 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Has anybody on the task 15 force asked the DOT? 16 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: We have been 17 discussing, and, you know, DOT is aware. And I 18 think DOT might have tried in the past to, you know, 19 have some -- it's a law, actually, so, you know, 20 have some action. 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: In your research, what 22 preventative measures have other states taken to 23 prevent trucks from accessing parkways and highways 24 where they shouldn't be? 25 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Well, parkways, you 1 know, mostly New York State phenomenon. 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Pardon me? 3 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: It's New York State 4 phenomenon. You know, we have lots more parkways in 5 New York State. 6 But if I -- so, I cannot say, specifically, 7 for what they have done to prevent, you know, 8 entering the parkways, but we did second-stage 9 survey. 10 So, first the stage was, actually, to 11 identify the key factors. 12 The second stage of the survey was to 13 identify what works, actually, in preventing the 14 bridges strikes. 15 And what we found was, that, you know, 16 14 states have used these over-height detection 17 system. 18 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Tell me about that. 19 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Now, this 20 over-height detection system is, basically, you 21 could imagine, it's a laser beam which goes from one 22 side of the road to the other side. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Uh-huh? 24 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: And, you know -- so, 25 you know, one pole, it shoots the laser beam, and 1 the other pole is the sensor. 2 Now, if an over-height truck comes, and if 3 the height of the truck is more than this, you know, 4 beam, it will break the beam, and this will trigger 5 the sensor here, which will not get the signal. 6 And, in turn, what you could do, actually, 7 because we are in the high-tech area, so, it can 8 trigger the red-light signal ahead. It can send an 9 email to the police. It can send a call to the 10 police. It can light a message, further, that: Stop 11 here, don't go further. 12 So it could do all these things. 13 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And that's happening now? 14 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Right. 15 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Let me ask you a -- what 16 I think is just a commonsense approach. And, I've 17 talked to my colleagues about this as well. And, 18 I've gotten e-mails, since "News Day" has started to 19 write articles about this, from people all over the 20 state. 21 When you enter a parking garage, there's a 22 bar. 23 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 24 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Like this. 25 And if you have a vehicle, a truck, that's 1 higher than that, you're going to hit the bar, and 2 the bar is generally lower than the garage entrance. 3 Has it ever been discussed with the task 4 force -- 5 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 6 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: -- to put these bars, 7 whether they're made out of plastic, or wire, or 8 chain, whatever it is, that if a -- if an 18-wheeler 9 is on the -- entering the parkway, via this GPS 10 issue, which is a national problem, they won't get 11 on the parkway. 12 Because, the technology you're talking about 13 is good, they have to see the red light. By the 14 time the police could be notified, they're on the 15 parkway. 16 And the whole concept or idea of why we're 17 doing this hearing today, is to see how we prevent 18 them from getting on the parkway. 19 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 20 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I don't want them on the 21 parkway and then the signal's going, and they say, 22 All right, I shouldn't be here. Well, it's too 23 late. Let me go forward, let me turn around. 24 Before we know, they're going to get stuck. 25 So this works. 1 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. And -- 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: It works. 3 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: -- this was 4 discussed during the course of this study. 5 And one of the concerns is that, you know, if 6 the truck driver is going at a certain speed, 20 or 7 30 miles per hour, and you have these beams which 8 are installed on the parkway -- 9 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Well, I'm talking about 10 installing them on the entrance ramps. 11 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Oh, yeah. 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay? 13 So, the truck's not going to be going that 14 fast when they're coming on the entranceway, first 15 of all, incorrectly. We know that. 16 By the time they get on the entranceway, in 17 some areas, they're going start seeing the signs 18 while they're there. 19 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 20 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: If they have this 21 crossbeam, they're not going to get on it. 22 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Correct? 24 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 25 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 1 So is there a reason why this commonsense 2 technology shouldn't be applied? 3 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Well, I think the 4 primary reason -- 5 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Because it's not 6 technology. 7 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yeah. 8 -- I mean, these beams, you know, and they 9 have another name. They're called a "headache-bar," 10 because, you know -- 11 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: "Headache-bar"? 12 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: "Headache-bars." 13 -- they give headache to truck drivers. 14 And we looked at another option, similar to 15 what you talked to with the parking garages. 16 And what we got, was that this is a liability 17 issue for the State. 18 That, you know, if -- you know, generally, 19 the truck drivers will be at lower speed. But if 20 somebody did come at, you know, a higher speed, and 21 what you are doing now is, that you have a bar, 22 where, you know, if somebody comes and hits at 23 certain speed, and part of the bar or, you know, 24 part of the, you know, truck can actually fly off 25 and, you know, go like a, you know, missile, and it 1 hit the nearby people, or some other car. 2 So it's a potential, you know, legal issue. 3 And that's -- for that reason, we did not pursue 4 that option. 5 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: But wouldn't you say that 6 many things that municipalities do -- and 7 Senator Martins is a former mayor -- could be a 8 potential liability issue? 9 But the overriding factor of preventing this 10 issue, which is a major issue here in 11 New York State, and, obviously, around the country, 12 wouldn't that outweigh it? 13 You know, when I get on the parkways, 14 sometimes, and I live here on Long Island, they have 15 dividers, plastic cones. They're break-aways. 16 They could be a potential liability issue to 17 a car if somebody hits them and it hits the other 18 vehicle. 19 I just -- I've heard that too much to be 20 taken as an excuse not to even try it as a pilot. 21 We would appreciate it if the task force 22 would look into that issue further, because it's 23 low-cost, it makes sense, it's effective, and it's 24 been in practice for many, many years in private -- 25 in the private sector. 1 And I see no reason why it shouldn't even be 2 tried. 3 But, I'm going to end my questions there, 4 because I know my colleagues have some questions. 5 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Well, I -- you know, 6 just to, because I think I agree with that. You 7 know -- 8 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Then you could end it 9 right there. 10 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: It could be 11 effective. 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you. 13 Senator Martins. 14 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you very much. 15 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you, Doctor. 16 SENATOR MARTINS: I'm going to take up the 17 questioning right where Senator Fuschillo left off. 18 Just from a commonsense approach, if you have 19 these headache-bars there, at a position where the 20 truck is going, certainly, less than the 55 miles an 21 hour that we expect them to go when they're 22 impacting a bridge, if we take that, and bring it to 23 a point where we can actually control it, get the 24 truck off, and not have to deal with the impact of a 25 truck on a parkway and the potential dangers that 1 come with that to life and to property, I just see 2 it as a much more cost-effective, easy-to-implement 3 solution that's not going to take, you know, an 4 undue toll on a state that's already strained, and 5 their resources are already strained to the limit, 6 certainly. 7 I think we can all understand that. 8 The idea of putting a rope, a chain, a piece 9 of wood, just to remind somebody that they shouldn't 10 be where they shouldn't be, even though we have 11 15 signs that said that they shouldn't be there to 12 begin with. 13 Look, we always look for excuses as to why 14 somebody does something dumb. 15 Okay? 16 Why do truck drivers, who are -- have to get 17 their CDLs, have to follow certain procedures, we 18 make excuses for people. 19 But let's understand, and I think you 20 mentioned this during your testimony, there are 21 signs there. They're clearly marked. 22 Whether you live in New York; whether you're 23 driving a truck, and you live in Florida, or you 24 live in Colorado, or in California, or anywhere else 25 in the country, you still understand postings and 1 signs, and they're all standard. 2 Correct? 3 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes, that's correct. 4 SENATOR MARTINS: So, you know, what we're 5 doing here, is trying to come up with an alternative 6 to fix something that, for all intents and purposes, 7 doesn't need to be fixed, other than to get the 8 driver's attention. 9 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 10 SENATOR MARTINS: So the sooner or the closer 11 we put that to the entrance to a parkway, the better 12 off we're going to be. 13 Correct? 14 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: I agree with you. 15 If -- I mean, if liability, the State is not 16 concerned about the liability issue, then this is 17 going to be the most effective one, because it will 18 prevent the entry of the trucks right at the ramp 19 point. 20 SENATOR MARTINS: Well, Doctor, we're all 21 concerned with liability. I think, as a matter of 22 course, we live our lives concerned with liability. 23 But the reality is, and I would hope you 24 would agree, that the point where a truck, traveling 25 at 55 miles an hour, hits an immovable object like a 1 bridge, the liability, potentially, of not stopping 2 that truck from even entering the parkway is 3 significantly higher. 4 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. Yeah. 5 SENATOR MARTINS: And, so, let's do what we 6 can to stop that truck where we can. 7 Are you familiar with the penalties in 8 New York State for a truck driver who enters a 9 parkway and strikes a bridge? 10 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: I -- not very 11 specifically, but I think it's not very high. 12 SENATOR MARTINS: Well -- and, again, I 13 would -- and maybe we can address that with some of 14 our speakers later this morning -- but I would think 15 that the opportunity is there to create a 16 disincentive. 17 You know, you talk about points on a license 18 for a CDL license holder, you talk about the ability 19 of that person to continue to earn a living and 20 drive a truck, you go to the very heart, I think, of 21 what motivates people in certain instances. 22 And, certainly, if we have the ability in 23 New York State to reevaluate the penalty structure 24 for somebody who strikes a bridge, and holds them 25 specifically and individually accountable, I think 1 will go a long way towards getting those numbers way 2 down. 3 And it may be a combination of a 4 headache-bar. 5 And I do like the term "headache-bar," 6 Chairman, because I think, you know, we really 7 should make an effort to create a barrier right at 8 the entrance to the parkway. 9 But, also, for those people who don't get it, 10 and do enter the parkway and do strike a bridge, 11 make the penalty such that they're going to think 12 twice if they're going to ignore a posted height 13 limit on a parkway. 14 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: I agree with that. 15 This is going to be a very long-term 16 solution, because it's essentially going to the 17 psychological, you know, mindset of the driver, 18 that, they see that they are going to be penalized 19 heavily, they will remember that -- 20 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Well, but there's also a 21 factor here, too, that the trucker doesn't want to 22 engage in this practice as well: getting on a 23 parkway where they shouldn't be, and driving under a 24 bridge and getting stuck there, losing their load, 25 and they're tied up for days, or hours. They could 1 possibly lose their truck as well. 2 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: If the penalty is 3 high, then they will make it a point that they don't 4 forget. That -- 5 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I'm not even talking 6 about the penalties; even, just, prohibiting them. 7 Because I'm sure they don't want to be there 8 either, stuck under a bridge, where they lose all 9 their goods and destroy their truck. 10 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 11 SENATOR MARTINS: I can guarantee you, that 12 when a trucker is driving on Long Island, they 13 understand fully well that the speed limit is 14 55 miles an hour. 15 When they're in Upstate New York, they 16 understand that the speed limit on the thruway, 17 north of a certain point, is 65 miles an hour. 18 And they understand how fast they can go, and 19 what their liability, personally, would be if they 20 were caught speeding. 21 To the same end, if we hold them accountable, 22 and there are real penalties in place, I think that 23 would be an incredible disincentive to professional 24 truck drivers. 25 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yeah, this is one of 1 our recommendations in the report; that, you know, 2 to look at -- to make the -- reevaluate the penalty 3 program. 4 An instructor said -- says that it is 5 unattractive and -- for them to be on the parkway. 6 And if they are on the parkway, then they will find 7 ways to get off immediately. 8 SENATOR MARTINS: And just one last point, on 9 the GPS. 10 If I were to use a standard GPS off the 11 shelf, there are settings on the GPS. If I want to 12 use -- if I want to travel the fastest route; if I 13 want to travel the least-expensive route, if I don't 14 want to enter a toll road, it can actually redirect 15 me around roads where there are tolls. 16 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 17 SENATOR MARTINS: I would -- you know, if I'm 18 a pedestrian, it has another setting for that. 19 I would think that there should be, rather 20 easily, a setting that would not allow for 21 commercial traffic, for example. 22 Because, not only are trucks too high, but 23 our parkways also don't allow for commercial 24 traffic, period. 25 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes. 1 SENATOR MARTINS: Have you had any 2 conversations, or has the commission or committee 3 had any conversations, with the GPS manufacturers 4 with regard to creating that setting as an 5 alternative, so that when you do have commercial 6 vehicles, they do understand that there is a route 7 that they can take and the parkways are not an 8 accessible route? 9 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Well, we had 10 discussions with the NAVTEQ in this, you know, 11 regard; that, you know, if the programming of the 12 GPS can be done, so that it is giving out for, you 13 know, the truck's route, you know, you can have an 14 option to [unintelligible] that. 15 If you want to follow a truck route in 16 New York, then it will automatically take care of 17 this, being not on the parkway, and all this thing, 18 it will implement. 19 I think it's not a technological challenge. 20 It's a business decision for the, you know, 21 GPS companies to put. 22 I don't think it's a lot of effort, also. 23 It's a very simple programming. You know, they 24 already have the algorithm. 25 What they have to do is, in the routing 1 algorithm, they have to put the parkways, then they 2 have to put the overhead-trucks' data that they get 3 from the State, and then do the routing on the 4 basis. 5 It's just a matter of programming, and, you 6 know, they could update their software. 7 There are also options where you have this, 8 what they call these "open-source GPS," where the 9 State can have its own, you know, model developed. 10 And anybody can buy those device and download the, 11 you know, software there, and run the open-source 12 GPS. And that will automatically program it, it 13 will automatically download the data from the 14 website for the low-height bridges. 15 But what we are looking at is a national 16 problem. 17 So, you know, if you provide the software 18 from New York, you know, the truck comes from other 19 states may not be using it. 20 So I think the ideal solution would be 21 actually what you mentioned, that, the truck 22 companies really providing either this option on the 23 GPS to use the truck route, or, not allowing the 24 truck GPS -- you know, this consumer GPS on the 25 trucks at all. 1 SENATOR MARTINS: And holding the drivers 2 accountable for these types of incidents. 3 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: And then if they do 4 use consumer GPS, then they are responsible. 5 SENATOR MARTINS: They're responsible. 6 Doctor, thank you very much. 7 Thank you, Chairman. 8 Thank you. 9 Assemblyman Dave McDonough? 10 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Thank you, Doctor, 11 for your testimony, and I think most of it has been 12 covered. 13 But I noticed in the one chart how many are 14 out-of-state drivers who may not have the GPS. 15 And I think the GPS is nice down the road, 16 but it's going to take a while to develop that. 17 I would subscribe more to the headache-bar or 18 the chains at the entrance ramp. 19 Now, all we have now, in some cases, is a 20 square sign that shows a truck with an "X" on top, 21 which is not enough of a warning. 22 The other point is, that in New York State, 23 especially on our parkways on Long Island, many of 24 our bridges are, I don't know how you would say it, 25 curved, or whatever. 1 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Stone-arch bridges, 2 yeah. 3 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: So, consequently, if 4 they're not in the center lane, and some of them 5 think they can be getting under it -- 6 And you mentioned that bridges are reported 7 about 3 inches, average, under-height; right? 8 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: 12 inches. 9 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: 12 inches, okay. 10 -- but, still, some of them do it. 11 And then what happens, obviously, is, you 12 have the accident, you have the potential damage to 13 other vehicles, and, you have the closing of the 14 parkway. 15 And eventually, with so many strikes, as you 16 reported here, a tremendous amount of bridge repair 17 and cost. 18 So I think that the fastest way to do this, 19 for prevention, is to provide the "headache bar," as 20 the Senator called it, or the chains, to give them 21 the warning, and to give them an escape route before 22 they enter the parkway. 23 But, I think that's the first thing. 24 Education is obviously important. 25 I don't think any driver wants to lose his 1 load. 2 You know, I think it's mostly lack of 3 knowledge that makes them take that parkway. Either 4 the GPS or the map he's holding, or whatever, tells 5 him that's the shortest method there. 6 But, the damage and repair to bridges is 7 another factor that we have to consider also. 8 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yeah, I mean -- but, 9 you know, also, we have to understand, these 10 over-height bridges, our bigger damage is actually 11 traffic nuisance. 12 You know, every time you have a bridge strike 13 on the, you know, [unintelligible], and in the 14 Westchester County -- 15 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: It stops. It stops. 16 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: -- it actually stops 17 the traffic for five or six hours, and that's the 18 much bigger damage. 19 Because bridges -- the stone-arch bridges, 20 they don't get damaged much. The trucks get 21 damaged. 22 But the traffic problem that we have, that I 23 think it's much bigger economic loss compared to, 24 sometimes, you know, the damages to the bridges. 25 But, absolutely, I agree with your point, 1 that, you know, if we could identify the ramps, or, 2 you know, as a blanket measure, I think you could 3 put the headache-bars on all the ramps. 4 So, you could identify some the locations, 5 based on the data that we are collecting, where you 6 could put the headache-bars. 7 Or, as an experiment, you know, the bridges 8 which are being hit a lot, you know, the ramps 9 nearby there, we could start with some of those 10 locations and see how it's affecting the impacts. 11 And then -- you know, so that could be one of 12 the, you know, studies, is to, you know, prevent the 13 strikes. 14 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Your "laser" 15 description, that's a good idea, but that's costly, 16 and would take much longer to get that installed 17 everyplace. 18 But I think the headache-bar or the chains 19 would alert them long before they get on the 20 parkway. 21 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Well, I mean, laser 22 system has been used by 14 states. 23 They have a service life of 15 years, from 24 the data that we get. 25 You know, there's one case in point, where 1 there was a tunnel in Maryland, where, you know, 2 these over-height trucks were going and they caused 3 massive damage. 4 And after they put these laser-eye detection 5 system, then, last five or six years -- they did 6 quite some time ago -- and after they installed this 7 system, they never had any single incident of, you 8 know, trucks hitting. 9 Again, 14 states that reported about the, you 10 know, this laser-eye detection systems, all of them 11 actually rated this system on the scale of 8 to 10 12 in terms of performance over the life. 13 Cost-wise, the cost, you know, you could -- 14 if you are looking at the ramp on the parkway, 15 probably the low-cost system, you could customize in 16 the range of five, six, to ten thousand dollars, 17 plus installation costs. 18 But they go for, like, 10, 15 years. You 19 know, they are, relatively, free from defect. 20 Like, the headache-bar, you know, once the 21 truck hits, it's likely, you know, that the bar is 22 damaged, and you have to go to the site and replace 23 it. 24 The laser beams, you know, they are -- you 25 know, they will give the incentive to the driver 1 that, to stop, there's a red light. 2 There's a psychological barrier. You know, 3 if you see a red light, you want to stop. 4 That, every driver knows. 5 If he sees a red light, and sees a sign that, 6 you stop here until the help comes, then it's quite 7 likely to -- quite likely that he will stop. 8 There are some drivers that [unintelligible] 9 that think they will make it, but -- 10 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: You know the 11 Nassau County issues about, ten, twenty thousand 12 red-light tickets every year? Maybe even more? 13 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Well, there's no 14 warning of those, that you're going to hit one. But 15 with the trucks, with the red light -- 16 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: This will be 17 combined with either, the red light, and then, on 18 the side you have this message board, with a light 19 itself, saying, that, you know, there's a low-height 20 bridge ahead. You know, stop on the side and wait 21 for the help. 22 And at the same time, the message will be 23 sent to the -- 24 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: And far enough back 25 to provide the driver with an exit, rather than just 1 stopping and staying there; right? 2 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yeah, far enough. 3 On the side of the ramp, you know, you 4 could -- 5 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Thank you very much. 6 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: -- if you have so 7 much space, then you could ask them to wait till the 8 help comes, and then they could wait. 9 So, I mean, this system, the thing is, even 10 you have one truck which, you know, broke the beam, 11 you know, you physically don't damage the beam, so, 12 you know, the system is ready. 13 The headache-bar, once, you know, the truck 14 hits it, it's likely, if it's damaged, then you have 15 to go and replace it. 16 SENATOR MARTINS: Let me -- can I follow up 17 on just one point, Senator? 18 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Yeah, go ahead. 19 SENATOR MARTINS: The lifespan of this laser 20 beam is, you said 15 years. 21 The lifespan of a piece of wood, or of a -- 22 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: That's what the -- 23 SENATOR MARTINS: -- or a chain is 24 significantly longer than that. 25 But, did you say that it's going to cost 1 ten or fifteen thousand dollars per ramp, to install 2 the system that includes a red light, a digital sign 3 that tells people to pull over, or a red light that 4 tells them to stop, plus the laser beam that would 5 be installed? 6 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yes, that's -- 7 SENATOR MARTINS: That's $15,000 per ramp? 8 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Yeah, that's -- 9 SENATOR MARTINS: To get a red light 10 installed at an intersection, where it already 11 exists, costs us closer to $150,000 per red-light 12 installation. 13 I just -- I don't know where those numbers 14 are coming from. 15 But, I would think that it would be, not only 16 significantly higher than that, but astronomically 17 significantly higher than that, per ramp, to install 18 it. 19 I'm even wondering whether or not putting a 20 piece of wood up there is going to cost us $10,000, 21 between the cost of putting, you know, the pole, the 22 arm on the pole, and then hanging that piece of wood 23 at a height where it makes sense. 24 You know, we're talking about factors 25 exponentially higher than those that, one to the 1 other. 2 So -- you know, and when we put that -- 3 And, certainly, we can get into the 4 testimony, Don, as we go through the hearing today. 5 -- the costs are just -- I understand there's 6 a preference here to go to go with laser beams, but, 7 frankly, Doctor, the costs to the State of 8 implementing a program like that, with the number of 9 ramps that we have on the parkways that we have, 10 northern state, southern state, Meadowbrook, 11 Wantagh, and we could go on and on -- it's just, 12 it's cost-prohibitive. 13 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Like I said, plus 14 the installation cost. The cost of the equipment 15 that I told you, it's right from the catalog from 16 the companies which we surveyed from the other 17 states. 18 So, you know, other states reported they had 19 the system. These are the systems they are using, 20 the most effective system. 21 Then we went back to the companies and we 22 looked at their system comparison. 23 And I'm talking about the minimum 24 configuration that they have. And that would be, 25 you know, just the catalog costs. 1 SENATOR MARTINS: Okay. 2 DR. ANIL KUMAR AGRAWAL: Then, of course, you 3 have the costs for the installation, and all the 4 those things. That's separate. And that depends on 5 the, you know, region of the contractor you're 6 hiring, and all those things. 7 So you might be very well, you know, correct 8 in the figure that you are telling, but I'm just 9 telling you the company cost. 10 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you, Doctor. 11 Thank you very much for your testimony. 12 Phillip Eng. 13 Good morning, Phillip. 14 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Good morning. 15 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Assistant Commissioner, 16 and Chief Engineer, New York State Department of 17 Transportation. 18 Thank you very much for being here. 19 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Thank you. 20 Chairman Fuschillo, and members of the 21 New York State Senate Standing Committee on 22 Transportation, thank you for this opportunity to 23 discuss issues of bridge strikes on parkways and 24 highways across New York State. 25 I am Phillip Eng, Assistant Commissioner, and 1 Chief Engineer, for the New York State Department of 2 Transportation. 3 Under Governor Cuomo and 4 Commissioner Joe McDonald, we have been working on 5 corridor safety studies that, for the first time, 6 take a look at the corridor as a whole, providing a 7 more comprehensive view of potential improvements. 8 We have taken many steps in recent years to 9 investigate and reduce the number of 10 commercial-vehicle bridge strikes on our highways 11 and parkways. 12 Since 2009, New York State DOT has been a 13 member of a regional bridge strike task force that 14 has gathered and analyzed data from surveys of 15 commercial-vehicle drivers conducted during 16 ticket-enforcement campaigns. 17 Through this coalition of groups in the 18 metropolitan New York area, we assessed the data, 19 and share our best practices, regarding measures 20 taken to reduce the number of errant trucks on 21 parkways and subsequent bridge hits. 22 Ira Promisel, Chief Technical Sergeant for 23 the New York State Police, facilitates this task 24 force for State DOT, and he will be providing 25 additional details regarding that task force. 1 But as part of our ongoing participation, 2 State DOT has increased outreach to insurance 3 companies, map providers, GPS manufacturers, and the 4 motor-carrier and trucking industry, to collaborate 5 on solutions. 6 As a result, we have encouraged insurance 7 companies to offer discounts for independent 8 owner-operators who use commercial GPS systems that 9 have bridge-height layers on mapping displays. 10 State DOT also posts, on a monthly basis, 11 height- and weight-clearance information, as well as 12 parkway height restrictions to the 511NY developer 13 page, websites that use this type of information to 14 feed their applications, such as Google Maps. 15 And looking ahead, the Department is working 16 to provide this data in a real-time format via a 17 web-mapping service. 18 This format will allow developers to supply 19 their applications, such as websites, mobile apps, 20 and GPS, with the most up-to-date restrictions. 21 It will also eliminate the need for users to 22 download new information each month. 23 An important development right now, the 511NY 24 map is being updated this year to include layers for 25 truck restrictions. 1 This map layer will display all active bridge 2 and parkway height-restriction information across 3 New York State. 4 As a interactive layer, users will be able to 5 hover over and click on a particular restriction for 6 more information. 7 We've also distributed pamphlets of our 8 parkway restrictions for commercial vehicles and the 9 dangers of low bridges to commercial drivers 10 applying for tax I.D. numbers in New York State. 11 The brochure is posted on our website, and 12 handed out during random roadside truck inspections. 13 We have sent nearly 90,000 of these brochures 14 to trucking companies registered to do business in 15 New York State. 16 And State DOT is also increasing and 17 improving signage. 18 So to reduce the number of trucks illegally 19 traveling on Long Island parkways, the Department 20 has installed additional overhead and ground-mounted 21 signage, flashing beacons, portable and electronic 22 variable-message signs, alerting truckers to these 23 restrictions. 24 Additionally this year, State DOT has added 25 placard stickers on "exit" signs and on some access 1 roads leading to parkways that also indicate that 2 trucks are not allowed. 3 These signs display a "truck" icon with a red 4 slash through it. 5 In New York City, on I-678 southbound exit 6 ramp to the Jackie Robinson Parkway, we've installed 7 "Cars Only" pavement markings on the ramp -- the 8 deceleration lane of that ramp, to enhance the truck 9 restriction. That was done about three years ago. 10 Since its implementation, we have seen a 11 reduction in the number of hits and intrusions on 12 the Jackie Robinson Parkway. 13 As part of the City DOT's pilot project to 14 allow selected trucks on the eastbound 15 Grand Central Parkway, between the RFK Bridge and 16 the BQE I-278, we've also used "Cars Only" pavement 17 markings in the left-most lanes, that keep trucks 18 restricted to the two right-most lanes entering onto 19 the BQE. 20 With these positive results in New York City, 21 the State DOT is moving forward with similar 22 pavement markings at other key locations, including 23 the Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, 24 Cross County parkways in Westchester County, the 25 northern and southern state parkways in Long Island, 1 and the FDR Drive, Marsh Hill, and Grand Central 2 parkways in New York City. 3 And in the Syracuse area, State DOT, last 4 year, prohibited all commercial vehicles from using 5 the Onondaga Lake Parkway. 6 Tractor-trailers and vehicles that were more 7 than 10-feet-9-inches high had already been banned 8 from the traveling parkway. And, now, State DOT has 9 extended the ban to all commercial vehicles, 10 following the completion of our traffic study that 11 recommended that measure. 12 Banning all commercial vehicles from the 13 Onondaga Lake Parkway strengthens our already 14 aggressive efforts to prevent over-height vehicle 15 crashes into the low-clearance CSX railroad bridge 16 over the roadway. 17 Commissioner John McDonald said, "This 18 prohibition, combined with a series of other 19 traffic-safety initiatives, is aimed at making the 20 Onondaga Lake Parkway as safe as possible." 21 And State DOT is also piloting new 22 technologies. 23 For example: The King Street Bridge over the 24 Hutchinson River Parkway, at the 25 New York-Connecticut border, was hit 17 times in 1 2006, and 13 times last year. 2 This year, we've had 6 hits to date. 3 Prior to -- that -- 2012, the bridge endured 4 the most hits in New York State. 5 But this reduction can be attributed to 6 treatments that we've installed at this location, 7 including a "CB Wizard" system for the CB radio, 8 that broadcasts recorded messages, at preset 9 intervals, about parkway restrictions for commercial 10 vehicles. 11 So moving forward, we are continuing to 12 monitor bridge-hit locations, review the existing 13 signage, to ensure that all existing signs are in 14 place and properly posted. 15 And we continue seeking opportunities to 16 supplement signage, pavement markings, and other 17 technologies and outreach. 18 Governor Cuomo has stated repeatedly that 19 "Government must work for the people." 20 And Commissioner McDonald has reinforced 21 that at State DOT. 22 In no areas is this more vital than in the 23 safety of our transportation infrastructure. 24 We fully understand that an efficient and 25 reliable system of highways and parkways will keep 1 goods and traffic flowing, strengthening 2 New York State's economy. 3 In every way, our Department, as a member of 4 the task force, and individually, is striving to 5 identify the reasons for these errant drivers, and 6 is continuously working to make our roads safer for 7 all those traveling throughout the state, and for 8 all New Yorkers. 9 Thank you for your time, and I'm happy to 10 respond to any questions. 11 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you, Mr. Eng. 12 I appreciate you being here, and your 13 testimony. 14 Let me ask you a question. 15 What, if any, is in the works for a pilot 16 program? 17 You've heard certain suggestions, the 18 headache-bar; as you've heard, the laser technology, 19 you know, from our previous speaker. 20 This is a national problem. 21 Obviously, it's more prevalent here in 22 New York State, and seems to be ongoing. 23 Is there anything in the works that the DOT 24 is working on right now, similar to the suggestions 25 that the previous speaker had mentioned? 1 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Yes. 2 I think you heard from Dr. Agrawal, that we 3 have enhanced the signage at a lot of our entrance 4 ramps to the parkways and areas where there are 5 restrictions with regards to trucks or commercial 6 vehicles. 7 But, currently, we are looking to supplement 8 those signs, working on some successes that we had 9 in New York City, where we've used painted pavement 10 markings on the road itself. 11 On the Jackie Robinson Parkway, where we had 12 issues with truck intrusions and bridge hits, in the 13 15 months prior to the installation of these 14 pavement markings, we had six such incidents. 15 In the 30 months since then, we've had two. 16 So we're expanding that effort onto 17 Long Island to address some of the most frequent 18 areas on the northern state parkway and the southern 19 state parkways. The. 20 The text will be "No Trucks." It will on the 21 entrance ramps. It will be followed by "Low Bridge 22 Ahead." 23 And we believe that will be a good first 24 measure. 25 We're also going to do that, as I said in the 1 testimony, at other key locations across the 2 downstate area, particularly on the parkways where 3 we've seen a number of hits. 4 I know you've also talked, with the earlier, 5 with regards to some technology. 6 We are taking a look at potential areas where 7 technology can be used, but I think, as 8 Senator Martins mentioned, they are more costly. 9 We have used in the past some laser 10 over-height detectors, but we've not seen the 11 reliability of those systems that perhaps some of 12 other states have. 13 So, it's a matter of trying to find the most 14 cost-effective but successful measures, and then 15 implementing them across our highways. 16 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: You heard the terminology 17 today, the "headache-bar," by the previous speaker. 18 Has that been given any consideration? 19 Or, as a pilot program, to test it in certain 20 areas? 21 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Well, we have 22 discussed it. 23 There are concerns with the Department, with 24 regards to the potential hazard, if they do get 25 struck and pose a new hazard, trying to address the 1 current one. 2 But that doesn't mean that there might not be 3 opportunities to take a look at where such a device 4 would be acceptable. 5 However, our approach was to really try to 6 take a look at some of these other measures that 7 we've seen successes. 8 We hope that the pavement markings will 9 generate the same success that we've seen in 10 New York City. 11 We believe that, as the motorists, the 12 truckers, are seeing that -- they're looking at the 13 road ahead, so the painted pavement markings will be 14 in their line of sight; whereas, sometimes roadside 15 signs are off, and perhaps not picked up by the 16 motorist. 17 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Senator Martins? 18 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you. 19 I often go back to my own experiences on the 20 road, and, you know, the kinds of things that we're 21 expected to notice when we're driving. 22 You know, you're expected to notice signage, 23 you're expected to notice speed limits. 24 Certainly, if you go and exceed the speed 25 limit and one of our local law-enforcement officers 1 happens to notice that you did, you're gonna get 2 pulled over. And if you say, "Well, I didn't see 3 the sign," I don't think they're going to be very 4 sympathetic. 5 I appreciate the fact that we're stressing 6 the need to put more signage and markings on the 7 ground. 8 But I would also encourage the DOT to 9 consider a pilot program similar to the program that 10 the Chairman just mentioned. 11 The opportunity exists, certainly, for a 12 pilot program in a closed environment, say, on an 13 island east of New York City, where we can identify 14 certain parkways where there have been bridges 15 struck. And there can be a mechanism -- mechanical 16 mechanism put in place, where there's a friendly 17 reminder in the form of a headache-bar, or something 18 along those lines, whether it breaks away, or 19 whether it just hits, you know, that portion of the 20 truck that is higher than would be there normally. 21 But I think if the alternative to a truck 22 hitting a piece of wood or hitting a chain is that 23 that truck is going to strike a bridge, and the 24 cost -- potential cost to life, potential cost to 25 property, as well as to the structural integrity to 1 bridge, I would think that the alternative of 2 putting a bar, with a piece of wood or a chain, 3 would be far more cost-effective, and effective, 4 period, Commissioner, than not doing anything at 5 all, and waiting to see whether or not these 6 markings actually work. 7 Is there an opportunity for us to explore 8 something like that? 9 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Yes, I 10 understand your interest in us pursuing it. 11 What we can do is, take a look, to see if 12 there are locations, perhaps, where a device -- and 13 not knowing the type of material that we might 14 choose, but perhaps a device and a location where it 15 won't pose the hazards that we're talking in 16 general. 17 So, maybe not to exclude it completely, but 18 to see if we can identify locations, we will take a 19 look at that. 20 SENATOR MARTINS: When we talk about things 21 like, enforcement, and the laws that exist, as 22 disincentives to truck drivers, under these 23 circumstances, getting into situations where they 24 may strike a bridge, does the Department of 25 Transportation work hand-in-hand with the Department 1 of Motor Vehicles in coming up with policies, 2 procedures, or recommendations with regard to 3 enforcement, that perhaps the Legislature can look 4 at? 5 Is that part of your review as well? 6 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: We do take a 7 look at potential legislation. 8 One of the things you have been discussing 9 earlier was with regards to the -- how the mechanism 10 which New York State signs the vertical clearances 11 on our bridges. 12 Currently, under the Vehicle and Traffic Law, 13 we are required, for bridges 14 feet or less, to 14 sign them. And that signage is for 1 foot less than 15 the actual vertical clearance. 16 There has been discussion about potential 17 legislation to be more consistent with other states 18 with regards to signing for bridges that are 19 fourteen-six or less, and then that new signage 20 would be three inches below the actual clearance. 21 SENATOR MARTINS: Commissioner, we mentioned 22 that many of our bridges here on Long Island, and 23 certainly across New York State, have an arch to 24 them. 25 Is that measurement taken from the lowest 1 point or from the highest point? 2 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: It is the 3 lowest vertical clearance on the drivable roadway, 4 yes. 5 SENATOR MARTINS: So it's a foot below the 6 lowest point on that arch, and not necessarily the 7 midpoint of the clearance under the span? 8 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Correct, it's 9 always the lowest vertical clearance point under 10 that bridge. 11 SENATOR MARTINS: Now, I understand, you 12 know, and we heard testimony earlier, about how 13 truck drivers can possibly not trust the 14 measurements. But I also understand that we have, 15 essentially, a fudge factor when it comes to giving 16 them some leeway. And there may be a need for it. 17 What you're suggesting, and what I heard 18 today, is that, we may actually want to reduce that 19 factor by three-quarters, simply because we want to 20 make them more, certain? 21 Is that what it is? 22 We want to send a message to truck drivers 23 that we really mean the heights that we say? 24 Or, do we really want to give them less of a 25 factor, when they may be off by a couple of inches? 1 I always saw that as a positive: You go a 2 foot below, what's the big deal? We're actually 3 giving people that extra leeway. 4 The previous testimony we heard today, and I 5 guess I'm hearing from you as well, is that that 6 factor may be counterintuitive? 7 It may be actually inducing people to take a 8 risk, and take a larger load through a bridge or 9 under a bridge that they shouldn't be traveling 10 under? 11 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Right, what 12 we're believing is, that over-height vehicles have a 13 distrust of those signs. 14 They know that we have a foot clearance, and 15 that they can sneak through on certain corridors. 16 And rather than looking for an alternative 17 route, where they should be, they can go through 18 what they think is the shortest route, we believe 19 they are trying to still pass under some of these 20 bridges. 21 SENATOR MARTINS: But if you change the 22 height, and you reduce that factor to three inches, 23 from a foot, the education necessary to transmit 24 that to every truck driver and every commercial 25 driver who has been accustomed to passing a high 1 load under it -- and -- or -- the level of -- or, 2 the number of hits that we're opening ourselves up 3 to, by reducing that height, has the Department 4 determined how they're going to communicate that, 5 and what the potential short-term impact, literally, 6 is going to be from taking such a measure? 7 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Well, we know 8 that if we were to get legislation to do that, we 9 would have to, obviously, change the signs very 10 quickly. 11 It would have to be a public-awareness 12 outreach, similar to what we're trying to do with 13 "No Truck On Parkways." 14 It would have to be, such that the industry 15 is aware that we've changed our signs to be more 16 consistent with the other states. 17 And the thought is, through consistency, as 18 truckers drive from one state to another, they will 19 not try to violate under these bridges. 20 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you. 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Assemblyman? 22 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: No, thank you. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Mr. Eng, thank you very 24 much for being here. 25 I appreciate it. 1 ASST. COMM. PHILLIP ENG, P.E.: Thank you, 2 Chairman. 3 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Sergeant Promisel. 4 Good morning, Sergeant. 5 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Good morning. 6 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Just your name and title, 7 please, for the record. 8 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: My name is 9 Sergeant Ira Promisel. I'm a chief technical 10 sergeant with the New York State Police. 11 Good morning. 12 I want to thank Senator Fuschillo and the 13 other members of the Legislature for the opportunity 14 to address this important issue, and to highlight 15 what has been done by the task force members. 16 My name is Ira Promisel. I'm a chief 17 technical sergeant with New York State Police, with 18 22 years of experience, working with the 19 New York State Department of Transportation at the 20 Hudson Valley Transportation Management Center in 21 Hawthorne, New York. 22 Through my current position, academic 23 experience -- I have two master's degrees, and I'm a 24 Ph.D. candidate -- and my roles as co-chair of both 25 the New York State Traffic Incident Management 1 Steering Committee, and I-95 Corridor Coalition 2 Incident Management Track, I have developed 3 expertise in the area of traffic-incident management 4 in a multi-disciplined environment, and how it 5 relates to bridge hits, in the areas of technology, 6 analysis, and operation. 7 And my role on the Bridge Strike Mitigation 8 Task Force is primarily as a facilitator and 9 coordinator of their efforts. 10 My testimony today will focus on an overview 11 of the regional approach to attacking the issue of 12 trucks striking bridges, including reasons for 13 recent increases, legal issues, background, the 14 task force's approach, lessons learned, and an 15 overview of several treatments. 16 Recent Increases: 17 There's been an increase in bridge strikes 18 and their effect, but it is not a new problem. 19 There are four primary reasons for the 20 increase: 21 An exponential increase in trucking traffic, 22 much of that's created from just-in-time delivery. 23 With more truck traffic, there's more opportunity 24 for errors. 25 Congestion, in general is also increased, and 1 this leads to more significant effects when there is 2 a crash. 3 The increased use of global positioning 4 systems, it's an aggravating factor, by directing 5 truckers onto these restricted roadways. 6 And, New York State DOT has also 7 significantly improved the collection of data 8 related to the bridge hits, giving them more 9 accurate representation of incidents. 10 How This Can Be Prevented: 11 There is no single measure that can prevent 12 this. 13 A layered approach, over time, includes: 14 Identifying mechanisms of how and why this is 15 occurring, descriptions of who's hitting the 16 bridges, and coordination between and among industry 17 and government. 18 Laws and Regulations: 19 Based on data and experience we've amassed, 20 the use of enforcement as a deterrent is unlikely to 21 assist. 22 The use of police is critical for the 23 collection of data, however. 24 And I must say, from a personal standpoint, 25 I'm all for enforcement, I'm all for writing lots of 1 ticket, ands have done so throughout my career, 2 including tickets in this case. 3 It just doesn't seem to have the deterrent 4 effect that we'd expect to see. 5 Mandatory equipment -- commercial-grade GPS, 6 receiver-transmitter devices -- may prove more 7 effective, but need to be addressed on a national 8 basis. 9 An example is outlined in U.S. DOT study on 10 Intelligent Dimension Evaluation and Alert Systems. 11 And that was done with New York State as 12 well. 13 The Bridge Mitigation Task Force: 14 In 2009, a number of efforts were brought 15 together into one task force. It is a cooperative 16 effort, with no separate funding or dedicated 17 personnel. It's comprised of various parties that 18 meet on an ad hoc basis several times a year. 19 Although it is primarily a regional entity, it has 20 national partners, such as the I-95 Corridor 21 Coalition. 22 Principles of the task force include: 23 Identifying the reasons for the hits; 24 Working regionally and nationally; 25 Gaining economies of scale and testing and 1 deploying solutions; 2 Focusing on safety -- doing no harm -- 3 effectiveness, and cost. 4 And I will also say, it's not a policymaking 5 entity. 6 It's, we make recommendations. We try to 7 implement solutions, as best we can, on an agency 8 level. 9 What we've have learned from surveys and 10 treatments performed to date: 11 We've learned a lot about drivers. 12 Drivers overwhelmingly speak English. 13 And this is something that, in the past, was 14 one of the thoughts, that maybe they don't 15 understand English, and are from out of state. 16 It's either their first or second time in 17 New York. 18 They generally are not fleet drivers. 19 They tend to listen to their CBs, and tend to 20 be late adopters of technology. 21 The drivers claim they often do not see 22 signs, even multiple signs. 23 Our data indicates there's also no specific 24 time of day or time of year where there's a 25 significant increase or decrease in these bridge 1 hits. 2 GPS and Mapping: 3 There's a significant difference between 4 commercial and basic GPS systems. There appears to 5 be a dependence on the systems that then minimize 6 driver's interpretation of their surroundings. 7 Some fleet managers discourage GPS by drivers 8 because of errors and dependence issues. 9 Effective Treatments: 10 Pavement markings have shown promise as they 11 may be more apparent to drivers than signs alone. 12 The CB Wizard broadcasts out messages at 13 regular intervals, and seem to be effective by 14 warning drivers, and, I think more importantly, 15 creating conversation between drivers. 16 We've listened to these conversations, and 17 it's very interesting to hear them say: Oh, who's 18 that lady talking about the over-height bridge, and 19 what does that mean? 20 And some of the other drivers, locally, will 21 say: You idiot, get off the road. 22 And, so, that's -- seems to have put an 23 additional effect on it. 24 Comprehensive systems, including cameras, 25 variable-message signs, height detectors, and 1 integrated signs, have shown to be effective, but 2 have cost and maintenance issues. 3 Innovative signing also appears to have some 4 effects. Putting LED lights, for example, around 5 the signs. 6 Bridge Mitigation Task Force Efforts: 7 Outreach has been a key effort of this -- of 8 the Bridge Mitigation Task Force, and it has 9 included public and private entities, such as the 10 trucking industry, and that includes the rental 11 industry; the American Transportation Research 12 Institute, which is an arm of the trucking industry; 13 motor carriers, and risk managers; map providers; 14 other government entities at all levels. 15 A pamphlet-distribution effort, led by 16 New York State and New York City DOT, has been 17 underway for a number of years. 18 We've also engaged in discussions with other 19 states that have been looking at similar issues, 20 including Illinois' GPS Task Force. 21 On the-data analysis side, a DOT 22 CUNY-sponsored study was completed in 2011, 23 including an analysis of the problem, a nationwide 24 survey of DOTs, and potential solutions. 25 The task force also initiated a survey effort 1 of drivers as part of its initial ticket blitz, 2 which was later integrated into legacy surveys. 3 CUNY then developed and housed a database for 4 this information. It went online this month. 5 The task force coordinated with ATRI for a 6 willingness-to-pay survey regarding directional 7 devices. 8 That, actually, the survey went out 9 yesterday, was when they went live with it. 10 Height layers, mapping and GPS, are difficult 11 to complete and keep current. 12 New York State DOT, with funding and support 13 from I-95 Corridor Coalition, has developed a 14 process to share the height layer via 511, and are 15 in the process of adding other agencies' layers. 16 So, LIRR, the MTA, they have their own layers 17 of heights, and there's a significant problem with 18 rail bridges. That's where most of bridges across 19 the country are hit, they're actually the rail 20 bridges. 21 New York City DOT also has a height layer 22 that they distribute. 23 An automated process is being developed as a 24 continuation of this effort to improve dissemination 25 of this information to GPS mapping and trucking 1 companies. 2 I-95 Corridor Coalition will assist 3 New York State DOT in sharing this information on a 4 wide scale, and improve 511 and associated systems 5 nationwide. 6 We're reaching that national audience that we 7 need to. 8 Enforcement: 9 A mass enforcement effort to include data -- 10 a data component of -- a data-collection component, 11 excuse me. Almost 300 tickets were written in one 12 week, took place. 13 The most promising result was that collection 14 of data, that allowed better targeting of 15 treatments. 16 Signs and Messaging: 17 A number of attempts have been made, or are 18 in the process of being made, to improve the 19 communication of the message to targeted roadways. 20 They include pavement markings, higher signs, 21 LED signs, posting additional height signs, 22 over-height detectors, and "No Truck" stickers. 23 Pavement markings will be added to three DOT 24 regions. These will be completed in this 25 construction season, and will include signing as 1 well as marking. 2 Technology: 3 Three main technology systems have been 4 examined and deployed. 5 Future deployments are being looked at in the 6 near and mid term. 7 These include video systems. 8 And this is one of the really -- real good 9 things is, leveraging existing "ITS" -- intelligent 10 transportation systems -- that are out there, and 11 using that for the bridge heights. 12 So some of them are video systems, like LPR, 13 the CB Wizard, and comprehensive over-height 14 notification systems. 15 Although these systems can make a huge impact 16 on all types of bridge strikes, including those that 17 involve over-height vehicles, due to improper 18 configuration, like a boom itself, or improperly 19 loaded, they can never totally eliminate the human 20 factor. 21 We just had a case on I-81 yesterday, I 22 believe, with a boom that was up, that struck a 23 bridge. 24 Technology -- or, excuse me. I already said 25 that. 1 Connected Vehicle Initiative: 2 The best solution, and the hardest to 3 implement right now, is related to the 4 Connected Vehicle Initiative. 5 CVI connects communication devices to 6 on-board systems of trucks to exchange real-time 7 events, including restrictions, between the vehicle, 8 infrastructure, and driver. 9 There are challenges, including cost, 10 infrastructure, and maintenance, especially to the 11 portions of the trucking industry that we're most 12 concerned of, which is your independent driver. 13 This will need to be a collaborative effort 14 between government and industry. 15 NYSDOT, working with I-95 Corridor Coalition, 16 has been a leading agency in examining the 17 feasibility of CVI. 18 Human Factor Studies and Treatments: 19 What do people see or not see when focusing 20 on GPS or other distractions? 21 Currently, there are a number of research and 22 deployment efforts underway, regarding distracted 23 drivers, from numerous entities related to this 24 issue. 25 We've been monitoring to this, and I think 1 that this is going to be a key element in solving, 2 not only this problem, but other over-height 3 restrictions, and other things, making people more 4 aware of their surroundings. 5 Some of the Successes: 6 There's been significant and measurable 7 reduction of bridge strikes at King Street, 8 Jackie Robinson Parkway, and the 9 Syracuse CSX Bridge, based on efforts made by the 10 task force members. 11 The task force, working with regional and 12 national groups, is working to replicate and improve 13 on these success. 14 Thank you again to Senator Fuschillo, and all 15 of those attending this hearing, for your attention 16 to this important issue. 17 I would be happy to answer your questions at 18 this time. 19 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Sergeant, thank you very 20 much. I appreciate your testimony. 21 Just a few basic questions. 22 Where do you work out of? 23 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: I work out of 24 Hudson Valley Transportation Management Center. 25 It's a facility similar to what you have on 1 Long Island, that looks at traffic throughout the 2 region. So, we cover the seven counties north of 3 New York City. 4 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I'm going to ask you a 5 questions. 6 The first question is: Is there enough 7 personnel of the State Police Department to properly 8 enforce our roadways? 9 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: I would refer any of 10 policy-type questions like that to my higher 11 headquarters. 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I thought you would. 13 [Laughter.] 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: You had mentioned in your 15 testimony, over-height detection systems. 16 Has there been any recommendations or 17 considerations to what you have heard today from one 18 of the previous individuals who testified with 19 regard to the headache-bar? 20 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Absolutely. 21 And that was one of first discussions that 22 we've had because, obviously, that's the number one 23 commonsense thing that immediately comes to mind. 24 We -- obviously, with -- and that's why I 25 prefaced some of our -- some of my testimony, saying 1 we're not a policymaking entity. 2 We make recommendations. 3 If they tell us those recommendations, 4 whatever they happen to be, are not going to be 5 implemented, then we will -- are going to move on, 6 and we're going to implement all of things we can 7 implement. 8 In the case of headache-bar, what we had 9 looked at was a number of different efforts out 10 there. We want to make sure we do no harm, so 11 there's a lot of concern, particularly about chains 12 and heavy-duty pieces of material that could 13 potentially become dangerous. 14 There's other things that have been looking 15 at. 16 On the Henry Hudson Parkway, there's, right 17 now, some PVC pipe that's hanging. 18 I don't have any numbers on the effectiveness 19 in it, but I can tell you, from an anecdotal level, 20 seen on a number of occasions, coming back from 21 John Jay College, trucks hitting that and continuing 22 on their way. 23 So I don't know if that is the right 24 approach. 25 We also looked at a device that, basically, 1 would be spring-loaded, at the exit -- or, be at the 2 entrance ramps, as you had discussed, which would be 3 the best place to put that. 4 It would be spring-loaded, the truck would 5 hit it, it would basically move aside so you're not 6 causing any damage, and then, as that truck exits 7 it, it would slowly return to the original position. 8 Again, there was some legal issues that were 9 concerned by the Department -- expressed by the 10 Department. And there was also some maintenance 11 issues on maintaining a device. 12 Those are the two primary issues that keep 13 coming up. 14 The bridge -- the task force would be happy 15 to look at anything and everything, and we have, 16 that we can -- that becomes available, but at a 17 certain point, it does become a policy issue for the 18 various agencies. 19 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Because it could simply 20 be a bar. It could just simply be, you know, a bar 21 coming down. 22 It doesn't even have to have chain or plastic 23 or wood, or anything hanging over it. And if the 24 bridge is 14 feet in height, this could be 14 feet, 25 you can't get on the entrance ramp. 1 And I think that's really the goal here, is, 2 as I said before: How do we prevent the occurrence 3 of even getting on the parkway? 4 And if there's a disruption, I'd rather the 5 disruption be on the entrance ramp than on the 6 parkway itself. 7 And, you know, there are many things, as you 8 know, probably better than anybody on this panel, 9 that needs constant maintenance on all the highways, 10 whether it's signage, whether it's pruning of trees, 11 that could be a hazard or a liability. 12 You know, we travel on a weekly basis, when 13 we're in session, back and forth to Albany. And on 14 the thruway, they're constantly pruning trees. 15 They're constantly putting up fences, to prevent 16 deers from coming on roadways in certain locations. 17 On Long Island, it's the same issue here. 18 You know, years ago, they started to install 19 the sandbags and the sand buckets, so individuals 20 wouldn't crash into a bridge. Those needed 21 maintenance. 22 I mean, these are the jobs of, obviously, the 23 Department of Transportation, and their employees, 24 to provide maintenance of our roadways. 25 And I just think this would be something that 1 should be seriously looked at. 2 The technology of lasers as well, is that 3 something that the State Police, or your role in the 4 task force, you've considered? 5 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Yeah, absolutely. That's 6 something that we -- we actually have some devices 7 that are out there now. 8 As the chief engineer had mentioned earlier, 9 there is some reliability issues on the ones that we 10 currently have in place. Although, nationally, it 11 looks like, particularly, this company called 12 "Trigg," that was looked at in the study, has 13 produced some that have a more -- that seem to be 14 more reliable. 15 It definitely is something to look at. 16 There is also, along the same lines, video 17 analytics, which, since we already have a lot of 18 cameras on the highways, that, license-plate 19 readers, they're getting put out there. 20 Even loop detectors that can detect whether 21 it's a commercial vehicle, is if you've got the loop 22 set up the way they need to be. 23 Those detection devices could also be 24 utilized within existing messaging systems out 25 there, again, taking cost into the factor, and 1 leveraging existing technology that we have. 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And, you know, they work, 3 and they do work, but they're just part of the 4 solution. 5 But I've noticed the installation of 6 illuminated signs at traffic intersections now, when 7 there is a red light, if -- the sign will come on. 8 Because, in certain areas, you can make a 9 right turn on red. But, now, they're posting in 10 certain areas, "when light is on, don't do it." 11 And it illuminates, and this is a new 12 technology that's being used, similar to what 13 Senator Martins had talked about, when -- at the 14 entrance. 15 I appreciate your work. 16 This is a serious problem. 17 And now that the task force has issued their 18 report, work needs to be done, and I'm sure you'll 19 agree. 20 And that's really the impetus of this 21 hearing, is to see what we can do, and how we 22 prevent this, because we can't just keep going on. 23 This is a major issue. 24 And, the economic impact is quite significant 25 as well to the State, but also to the goods and 1 services that are being shipped, and to the 2 individuals. 3 I mean, look at yesterday, the Saw Mill River 4 Parkway was just shut down. And, besides the 5 inconvenience, it's a major cost factor, to have, 6 you know, law enforcement out there to clean up, the 7 fire department, and everybody else, that has to 8 remediate that situation as well. 9 We're trying to prevent that. 10 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: We're doing a couple 11 things. 12 And if you don't mind indulging me on the 13 Saw Mill. 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Not at all. 15 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: I actually -- we've 16 instituted a new process within this. 17 One of things that we're trying to do on the 18 task force is, initially, it was looking at 19 recommendations, sharing information. Now we're 20 trying to operationalize a lot of the things that 21 are going on. That's with the pavement-marking 22 issue, and things like, where we actually can get 23 these things in the field. 24 One of things that we're doing, we found that 25 law-enforcement survey to be extremely valuable. 1 And now we're following up. 2 Even though less of the hits come from fleet 3 drivers, we have a real opportunity at working with 4 the industry, and then calling up those fleets. 5 So we've made it a practice now, each time we 6 have one of those hits, we reach out for the head of 7 risk or safety for those fleets. 8 I called the -- it was, FFD, was the company 9 that hit the bridge on the Saw Mill -- it was that 10 frozen-foods company -- and spoke to the head of 11 safety. 12 I'm waiting for a call back from the head of 13 risk. He wanted to interview the driver first. 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Sure. 15 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: But I found out some very 16 interesting information, and this goes to other 17 ones. 18 Number one, they had a commercial GPS on 19 board. 20 They have a system, not only -- it's not only 21 a commercial [unintelligible], it's an interactive 22 system that restricts them. 23 They have training where they talk about the 24 bridge heights. 25 There's a whole bunch of factors, that this 1 company was doing all the things right. And the 2 last fleet truck that hit as well, they actually 3 sent me a copy of their [unintelligible] dispatch 4 for the truck and in there is specific verbiage 5 about not getting onto our parkways. 6 So, I mean, they -- they're -- now we -- that 7 helps, though, because that let's us know: 8 Okay, where do we need to target the efforts? 9 How can we make this a better solution? 10 And one of the trends that we're starting to 11 see -- and, again, it's only anecdotal. We haven't 12 studied it in a real rigorous way yet. -- is, it 13 seems like these are new drivers that are coming out 14 there. 15 In both those cases, they were fairly new 16 drivers. Even though they attended an academy from 17 those companies, they were new drivers. Again, 18 first or second time in New York. 19 In this case, both of them, first time in 20 New York, and one of their first times on these long 21 hauls. 22 It changed the nature of how we would discuss 23 it. 24 The other thing in talking to these folks is, 25 the turnover rate of the truckers is 90 to 1 100 percent a year, which is a tremendous turnover, 2 which, again, challenges on our solutions. 3 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: The thing that I haven't 4 heard today, which I think is key to the success of 5 this, too, is inter-municipal cooperation. 6 You know, there are many occasions where 7 there aren't state roads leading onto the entrance 8 or egress of our parkways here on the Island, their 9 town, their county, their villages. 10 Was there anybody from the counties' 11 association or municipal governments on the task 12 force as well? 13 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Not necessarily the 14 municipal associations, but the task force does 15 include a really wide spectrum of folks. 16 We have involvement with "TRALA," which is 17 the rental truck industry; "ATA," the American 18 Trucking Association; the Motor Carriers 19 Association. 20 So we have a -- industry groups. 21 We have MTA, LIRR. 22 We have a number of police entities, 23 including Westchester County Police, and they've 24 been just phenomenal at collecting the surveys. 25 They've been, pretty much, the best at actually 1 collecting data, as well as writing lots of tickets. 2 They -- they -- we have the City of Rye. 3 We have a -- one of the -- I'm trying to 4 think what the name of it -- the entity from 5 Connecticut, but, we have folks from Connecticut 6 involved. 7 Long Island, obviously, the DOTs, DPWs. 8 So, it's a very wide spectrum. 9 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Again, I think the 10 missing component is, you know, we spend a lot of 11 time in Albany, and there is an association of 12 highway superintendents, there is a conference of 13 mayors, there is a conference of municipal leaders, 14 where county executives and town supervisors and 15 village mayors are all participants in these member 16 associations, as well as county highway 17 superintendents. 18 I think that's been missing today, because, 19 you know, again, I think we're all in agreement, we 20 don't want truckers to get on, and then have to back 21 up, or face the consequences that they have been 22 facing. 23 So the cooperation of the signage, and maybe 24 even the markings, before, may have to be from a 25 village mayor or town supervisor or county 1 executive, city mayor, you know, jurisdiction 2 outside of the state. 3 And that's a missing component here as well, 4 because that should be there as, you know, a 5 preventive measure as well. 6 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: And I will do that 7 outreach before our next meeting, so that will 8 happen. 9 The other thing that kind of goes along with 10 it, and motor carriers, actually, Kendra Adams had 11 mentioned it, she said: You know, maybe we should 12 do a "Bridge Awareness Strike Week," you know, on a 13 national basis. 14 Because, again, it's a national problem. 15 And one of the -- you know, the "Click It or 16 Ticket," one of the MTA police officers, 17 Ed Conte [ph.], had said: Oh, we should do 18 "Check It or Wreck It." 19 Which I thought was very catchy. 20 And, you know -- but that sort of thing, you 21 know, you can see "Click It or Ticket" has made an 22 effect, so maybe that's a good way to go on this. 23 And that would be a great opportunity to 24 really engage -- 25 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I don't know if the 1 truckers association would agree with you, but -- 2 [Laughter.] 3 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: But, I thank you for your 4 testimony. 5 I know Senator Martins has some comments as 6 well. 7 Senator? 8 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you. 9 Let me just take a step back. 10 On a policy decision, we've been talking 11 about people making policy decisions; and those 12 people who make the policy decisions, as to whether 13 or not to pursue a headache-bar, or pursue some 14 other technology, or decide that there's going to be 15 stripings or markings on the ground, or increase 16 signage. 17 Who makes that decision? 18 Because we're talking about people in the 19 abstract, but, ultimately, I would think that, given 20 that it is a state problem -- national problem, a 21 state problem, and a problem that affects 22 Long Island specifically, that a committee like this 23 should be weighing in on those policy decisions; 24 yet, I understand that these decisions are being 25 made by people, in general terms. 1 Who's making that decision? 2 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: It really depends on the 3 entity, and I can't speak for all of the broad 4 spectrum of entities there. 5 Generally what we'll do is, we'll take our 6 policy decisions -- or the -- excuse me -- we'll 7 take our recommendations, and then we'll forward it 8 to our various chains of command. 9 So if it's something that's an enforcement 10 issue, for example, that would go through our -- on 11 the State Police side, I would forward that up 12 through our field command and our division traffic 13 folks. They'll take a look at it, and then they'll 14 forward it up to the appropriate level, to make the 15 decision that they need to make. 16 On the DOT side, they have their own setup, 17 does New York City DOT, or NYPD, or whomever the 18 other entity is. 19 It really is, who's got the ownership of the 20 facility, and then, who's got the enforcement of the 21 facility. 22 SENATOR MARTINS: Talking, specifically, 23 we're talking about, and I've heard it a couple of 24 times, the hesitation of implementing this 25 headache-bar, for fear that there's going to be some 1 danger to somebody. 2 And, frankly, I would love to find out who's 3 making that quality judgment. 4 Because, the idea of forgoing an opportunity 5 to stop a truck that you know is going to hit a 6 bridge on that parkway, given its height, the 7 ability to stop that truck as it enters an on-ramp 8 onto a parkway, as opposed to -- because of a 9 potential that a piece of chain or a piece lumber 10 may be struck and fly off, I'm assuming, as opposed 11 to the very real danger of having that truck enter 12 the parkway, reach highway speed, and hit a bridge, 13 thereby affecting other passenger cars and other 14 people in the area, for me, it just seems like a 15 no-brainer. 16 And I would love to know who it is that's 17 making a decision that that is too much of a risk or 18 that there's too much of a liability to address it 19 at the entrance ramp, as opposed to somewhere 20 actually on the parkway. 21 Because you know, we all do sitting here, 22 that truck that would have struck that piece of wood 23 or that chain, if they enter the parkway and 24 accelerate to highway speed, it's going hit that 25 bridge and come to a screeching halt, and 1 potentially -- not potentially -- likely hurt 2 themselves, hurt someone else on the roadway, and 3 cause incredible damage. 4 So, who's making these decisions? 5 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: And I'd have to refer -- 6 in this case, that's a decision through the 7 Department of Transportation, and I'd have to refer 8 that to them. 9 I don't know who the individual is -- 10 SENATOR MARTINS: I understand. 11 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: -- but that would be 12 someone within the Department Of Transportation. 13 What I've been told is, that it's a legal 14 interpretation. 15 So, I would assume it goes through their 16 legal counsel. 17 SENATOR MARTINS: Yeah, I understand, 18 liability and laws are set by the Legislature. 19 Let's go to another point, and keep -- and I 20 heard a couple of references to the 21 Jackie Robinson Parkway, entirely different scenario 22 than what we're dealing with here on Long Island. 23 The idea of the Jackie Robinson Parkway and 24 that entrance, or that split, you know, where the 25 Grand Central starts, and -- or continues, and 1 Jackie Robinson Parkway starts, it's entirely 2 different, I would hope you would agree, than the 3 experience that we have here on Long Island, with 4 our entrance ramps onto parkways. 5 The entrance onto our parkways are clearly 6 delineated, they are slow entrances, usually they're 7 sweeping, and the opportunity to stop something at 8 that point, as opposed to a split in a roadway where 9 you really don't have the opportunity to put an 10 over-height device, is entirely different. 11 And I'm glad to hear that you're getting, and 12 have success, with regard to the markings on the 13 round, with regard to the Jackie Robinson Parkway. 14 But I would hope, that in keeping with some 15 of the suggestions that we've heard here today, that 16 there's an opportunity for a different point of view 17 when it comes to a pilot program here on 18 Long Island. 19 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Personally, I'm all for 20 trying whatever new thing we can try, and see what 21 works. 22 That's part of the principles of the task 23 force, is, instead of having all these different 24 entities operate within silos, one entity or two 25 entities can try out the treatment, see if it works. 1 If it doesn't work, or they run into 2 problems, then we may not utilize that. 3 And we've run into that in the past with a 4 couple of the treatments that we tried. 5 If it does work, then we try to replicate it 6 and get that everywhere we can. 7 SENATOR MARTINS: And just one last point: 8 When I talk about, and I've spoken about 9 earlier today, the issue of enforcement and 10 ticketing and disincentives, frankly, I'm not 11 discussing numbers. 12 I couldn't care less whether there's 13 500 tickets written or 5 tickets written. 14 I'm looking for an opportunity, and I think 15 we need to explore the opportunity, for what 16 motivates certain people, what serves as a 17 disincentive to certain people, and whether or not 18 that shouldn't be a factor as well. 19 When we talk about those things that will 20 cause people who enter parkways, like we have here 21 on Long Island, with large commercial vehicles, you 22 know, by and large, you have to pay attention, you 23 have to see the signs that are there to be seen. 24 And there has to be a consequence when you 25 don't. 1 And that's -- and that's only -- the only 2 point that I was trying to make. 3 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: No, absolutely. 4 And that was one of our big things that we 5 wanted to do. 6 Unfortunately, we just haven't seen the cause 7 and effect on it. 8 And, you know, potentially, there could a 9 number of reasons for that. 10 One of the things that I am looking at, is 11 trying to collect data from other places that have 12 raised it. 13 Virginia, for example, has -- although 14 they're just in the few-thousand-dollar range for 15 fines, they, for example, have raised the costs of 16 the tickets. 17 I don't have results on whether they've 18 made -- that's made an impact or not. 19 SENATOR MARTINS: Well, and that would 20 suggest that I'm also not speaking in terms of 21 fines, as much as I'm speaking in terms of the 22 effect on the license itself. 23 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: They added -- 24 SENATOR MARTINS: Because -- 25 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: -- I believe it was -- 1 I've got the chart there -- it was 3 points that was 2 added to their CDL, off of their plan that they 3 implemented. It was around 2007, I believe. 4 But, again, I haven't seen any real good 5 results on whether it has been effective or not. 6 SENATOR MARTINS: Thank you, Sergeant. 7 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Senator Dilan? 8 SENATOR DILAN: Yeah, I just would like to 9 indicate that I do agree with Senator Martins with 10 respect to a pilot program out here in Long Island. 11 However, where there are differences with 12 infrastructure, the environment, that perhaps it 13 could be pilot programs, to also examine those 14 areas. 15 For example, the one that Senator Martins 16 indicated, where the split in the road comes to 17 Grand Central, to the Jackie Robinson, and anywhere 18 else in the state where it could be different 19 conditions, I think all of that should be 20 considered. 21 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Absolutely. 22 SENATOR DILAN: Thank you. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Assemblyman McDonough? 24 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Yes, thank you. 25 And I know we're running long here, so I only 1 have two very brief comments; and that is: 2 The CB radios, you know, they were very 3 common, everybody had one. 4 Are they still very common in trucks? 5 Is it, you know -- 6 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Not as common as they 7 were, but they're still common enough to make an 8 impact. 9 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: So you have a method, 10 through the CBI [ph.], or something, of 11 communicating on CB bands that they're going to 12 hear, even if they're not looking for that message, 13 if they're in the area; right? 14 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: We broadcast on 19 and 15 21, which is the ones they generally listen to, and 16 it goes out every 30 seconds on one of the stations. 17 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: And the only other 18 question I have is, somebody mentioned spring-loaded 19 arms, which you drive through, and that would warn 20 you. 21 But isn't that like a toll gate, that you 22 would almost have to come to a full stop? 23 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: No, the arms are high 24 enough -- 25 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Oh, oh. Okay. 1 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: -- that it would only be 2 the trucks that would strike that spring-loaded -- 3 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Only hit the back of 4 the truck? 5 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Yeah. 6 And it would be that safety aspect of, also, 7 you know, being a break-away, if you will, so it 8 wouldn't -- it couldn't fall on the -- 9 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Is it -- if a truck 10 hits it, what happens then? 11 A signal goes off, or a broadcast, or what? 12 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: It can be set up a number 13 of different ways. 14 You can just leave it as is -- 15 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Put lights ahead 16 [unintelligible] stop? 17 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Or you can do that, you 18 could put sensors on it, and put that red light. 19 You could put a light that flashes. Or, you could 20 just have a light ahead that says: Hey, idiot, you 21 just hit a bar. Get off. 22 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Stop, stop. 23 Okay, thank you very much, Sergeant. 24 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: So, Sergeant, you ticket 25 the driver? 1 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Yes. 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Do you put -- any 3 violation to the carrier? 4 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: No. 5 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 6 Only unless there's an inspection done on the 7 vehicle, if there's some deficiencies? 8 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Correct. 9 And one of the issues is, the bulk of the 10 drivers that we're seeing hitting the bridges are 11 independent drivers. 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 13 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: So, the ability to deal 14 with the fleets, although we are attacking that 15 issue as well, the vast majority are from 16 independent operators. 17 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: In-state or out-of-state? 18 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Out-of-state. 19 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 20 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Almost exclusively 21 out-of-state. 22 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you for your work, 23 and thank you for your testimony. 24 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Thank you, sir. 25 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Appreciate it, Sergeant. 1 Thank you. 2 Ken Tirone, vice president of operations, 3 board member of Hub Truck Rental, and New York State 4 Motor Truck Association. 5 Thanks, Ken, for being here. 6 KENNETH TIRONE: Thank you. 7 Well, good morning, everyone. 8 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Good morning. 9 KENNETH TIRONE: As the Senator said, I'm 10 Kenneth Tirone. 11 I actually did get a promotion many years 12 ago, and Kendra didn't not put it on the script that 13 she added for me. 14 So, I'm chief operating officer of Hub Truck 15 Rental Corp. 16 We are a full-service maintenance, lease, 17 company on Long Island, so we have a lot of trucks 18 out here. 19 And, today, although I'm representing the 20 New York State Motor Truck Association, I am a board 21 member with them. 22 And, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank 23 you, and the Committee, for the opportunity to speak 24 here today. 25 You're going to hear a lot of the same stuff. 1 It's like we must have written -- you know, or read 2 from the same book. 3 The issue of bridge strikes in New York is a 4 longstanding problem, particularly in this region. 5 Recognizing that there are -- was no simple 6 solution to the bridge-strike issue, several 7 agencies, along with the trucking industry, formed 8 the Bridge Strike Mitigation Task Force in 2009, to 9 work together, to identify preventive measures to 10 reduce the number of bridge strikes that occur each 11 year. 12 The task force has been very active, and we 13 believe has had a positive impact on reducing bridge 14 strikes. 15 According to the Bridge Vehicle Impact 16 Assessment, which you saw before, which came out in 17 December of 2011, the overall number of bridge 18 strikes or bridge hits in New York has actually 19 shown a significant decline since 2009. 20 While there are still certain regions and 21 locations that show an increase in bridge strikes, 22 there are a couple of factors that should be taken 23 into consideration. 24 First, the collection of data on the bridge 25 strikes has significantly improved as a result of 1 the work of the task force. 2 In the past, not all bridge strikes may have 3 been adequately reported; whereas, now, concerted 4 effort is being made to record the strike, as well 5 as determine what had caused the strike. 6 In addition, commercial-vehicle traffic has 7 increased exponentially over the last ten years. 8 The fact that bridge strikes have not 9 increased at the same rate is an indication that 10 progress has been made. 11 And I will tell you, that our fleet has 12 increased since 2001, 64 percent. 13 And we run truck 1,550 trucks on Long Island. 14 We were running 900 back then. 15 So, you know, we have pretty good experience 16 here. 17 Obviously, there is still much work to be 18 done. 19 One key component to tackling the 20 bridge-strike problem is outreach and education. 21 The New York State Motor Truck Association 22 has worked closely with the task force members to 23 identify key target groups, and has undertaken 24 outreach activities at both a state and national 25 level. 1 Data collected at bridge-strike locations 2 show the vast majority of bridge strikes are caused 3 by out-of-state drivers, which you've seen. 4 Using our contacts with other state 5 organizations, we have distributed brochures, 6 designed to educate truck drivers about low bridges 7 on parkways across the nation. 8 This is the brochure that everybody was 9 talking about. 10 Because we use this at all our rental 11 counters, and this is put out by the New York DOT. 12 If you want to, I have some copies if you 13 want to have one afterwards. 14 Surveys with drivers involved in bridge 15 strike indicate that a disproportionate number of 16 bridge strikes are caused by independent drivers, so 17 we've worked with the Owner-Operator Independent 18 Driver Association, "OOIDA," to distribute the 19 parkway brochure to their members, include articles 20 about bridge strikes in their newsletter, as well as 21 run stories on their radio show, "Landline Radio." 22 Those same surveys show that many drivers are 23 following a GPS unit which leads them onto parkways 24 or roadways with low bridges. 25 Our chairman, Kendra Adams, has been on both 1 the "Lockridge Report" and the "Dave Nemo Show" on 2 SiriusXM Radio's "Road Dog's Trucking" station 3 multiple times, to educate drivers on the dangers of 4 using an off-the-shelf GPS unit not designed for 5 commercial vehicles, as well as the importance of 6 paying attention to road signs. 7 Finally, surveys have also shown that drivers 8 utilizing rental vehicles are often unaware of the 9 parkway restrictions. 10 So, members of the task force have reached 11 out to the Truck Rental and Leasing Association, 12 "TRALA," which we are -- Hub Truck Rental is a 13 member of that, to encourage their assistance with 14 providing information to their membership, which 15 they would then distribute to individuals that rent 16 commercial vehicles. 17 And that's what we do at our rental counters. 18 These education and outreach programs are 19 ongoing, and new opportunities continue to be 20 identified. 21 This will remain a priority of the task 22 force, and the New York State Motor Truck 23 Association will continue to work with our partners 24 across the nation to educate commercial-vehicle 25 drivers. 1 Aside from education and outreach, the task 2 force has been focused on finding both short- and 3 long-term solutions to reduced bridge strikes. 4 The task force is at a point where they are 5 now beginning to operationalize many of the possible 6 solutions that have been discussed. 7 Better data has allowed the task force to 8 identify those bridges that continue to have a large 9 number of strikes, and implement strategies to 10 prevent strikes from occurring. 11 For example, and you've heard it, the 12 "CB Wizard" alert system, an unmanned CB-radio 13 transmitter that can broadcast messages to drivers, 14 has resulted in a significant reduction of bridge 15 strikes on the King Street Bridge located on the 16 Hutchinson Parkway. 17 The CB Wizard is now being utilized at the 18 Mamaroneck Avenue location, another area of high 19 bridge hits. 20 Pavement markings will soon be installed on 21 entrance ramps to several parkways, indicating 22 "No Trucks." 23 Pavement markings have been shown to be an 24 effective signage mechanism in other instances. 25 The New York State Department of 1 Transportation is updating their 511 Traveler 2 Information System to include truck restrictions. 3 The data will eventually be provided in 4 real time through the use of an XLM feed. 5 Discussions about better signage continue, 6 with some short-term solutions being: 7 To ensure that existing signs are clear, are 8 free of vegetation and other obstacles that would 9 make them difficult to see or read; 10 Ensuring that signs are placed well enough in 11 advance to provide drivers time to make a decision; 12 And working with other agencies to ensure the 13 consistency of the signage. 14 The use of a new and improved technology -- 15 The use of new or improved technology offers 16 some potential long-term solutions. 17 The task force continues discussions 18 regarding the use of overhead [sic] detection 19 systems at the entrances of parkway ramps. 20 If an over-height vehicle is detected, either 21 a red light or warning message will be illuminated 22 to instruct the truck driver to stop. Instructions 23 could then be provided to the driver on what to do 24 next, such as, instructions for an alternate route, 25 or call for enforcement for assistance. 1 There is great potential for this type of 2 systems; however, there are costs and maintenance 3 issues that must be worked out. 4 The use of smartphones may provide another 5 long-term solution. Entrance ramps could be 6 geo-fenced, so that if a driver were to drive into 7 the geo-fence area, they would receive a 8 notification on their smartphone that trucks are 9 prohibited from entering the parkways. 10 While there are positive aspects of this 11 system, drivers would be required to have the 12 appropriate application on their device for the 13 program to be effective. 14 Additionally, work still needs to be done, 15 that the use of this type of program does not lead 16 to a distracted-driving situation. 17 The task force recognizes that drivers 18 utilizing non-commercial GPS units have aggravated 19 the bridge-strike problem, but, it's important to 20 note that it hasn't eased it -- or, hasn't caused 21 it. 22 I'm sorry. 23 Prior to the use of GPS, drivers were using 24 maps and Internet sites to gain routing information, 25 and they were still hitting bridges. 1 The idea of mandating the use of a commercial 2 GPS unit has its pros and cons. 3 First, in order for it to be effective, it 4 would have to be done at a national level. 5 As has been previously stated, the majority 6 of bridge strikes in New York are caused by 7 out-of-state drivers. 8 Passing New York State law that can only 9 apply to New York State-registered vehicles does not 10 help to address this problem. 11 Additionally, a commercial GPS is only as 12 good as the data that it provides. 13 While New York has made great strides in 14 providing timely and accurate data for the GPS 15 providers to utilize, it is still incumbent upon the 16 provider to incorporate the data into their system 17 in a timely manner. 18 In addition, truck drivers must continually 19 update the system to ensure they have most accurate 20 and up-to-date information. 21 While at first glance, a commercial GPS 22 mandate may sound like a quick solution, it will 23 only be effective if done on a national scale, and 24 only if the serious discussions have been had with 25 industry to ensure there are no unintended 1 consequences. 2 Increased enforcement and higher fines for 3 trucks that are either on the parkway or have hit a 4 bridge have been discussed at length. 5 While the New York State Motor Truck 6 Association agrees that drivers should be held 7 accountable for their actions in the event that they 8 strike a bridge or enter a parkway, the reality is, 9 that increased enforcement is not a preventive 10 measure and will not change behavior. 11 Out-of-state drivers are frequently not aware 12 of the restrictions, and are, therefore, not aware 13 of the high fines or penalties associated with being 14 on the parkway. 15 If the goal is to prevent bridge strikes, 16 then increased enforcement and higher penalties is 17 not the solution. 18 An issue that has been identified by the task 19 force, is the fact that New York State Vehicle and 20 Traffic Law requires bridges that are lower than 21 14 feet to be posted 1 foot less than the actual 22 clearance. 23 You've heard that quite a bit today. 24 New York is the only state in the country 25 that has this large of a differential. 1 Most states require a posting of only 2 3 inches less than the actual clearance. 3 To make matters worse, our company adds 4 3 inches to every truck we measure and put into 5 service. 6 So, we're kind of -- it's crazy. 7 It has become widely known to commercial 8 drivers across the country that New York State posts 9 clearances on bridges significantly lower than the 10 actual clearance. 11 Unfortunately, this can inadvertently lead to 12 bridge strikes when drivers see a posted sign, know 13 that it's posted lower than the actual height, and 14 decide to proceed under the bridge, you know, based 15 on what they've heard. 16 The New York State Motor Truck Association 17 would like to recommend that this Committee consider 18 changing the New York State law to better align with 19 posting requirements across the country. 20 We strongly feel that this would help 21 eliminate confusion, and would assist in addressing 22 the bridge-strike issue. 23 While the issue of bridge strikes continue to 24 be a major concern, the New York State Motor Truck 25 Association feels that great progress has been made 1 by the Bridge Strike Mitigation Task Force, and with 2 the proper support and resources, progress will 3 continue to be made. 4 The task force is an excellent example of 5 government and industry working together to come up 6 with an effective solution that works for everyone. 7 The New York State Motor Truck Association 8 will continue to be an active participant of the 9 task force, and will continue to focus on educating 10 trucking companies and drivers across the country. 11 And we do that through all of the motor truck 12 associations throughout the country. 13 It is our sincere belief that if we continue 14 to work together, we will continue to make great 15 strides in reducing bridge strikes across the state. 16 I thank you for your time today, and will be 17 happy to answer any questions you have. 18 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Ken, thank you very much. 19 Appreciate you being here. 20 I'm sure my colleagues have some questions. 21 I want to ask you a question, a pretty basic 22 question: Do truck drivers know the height of their 23 trucks? 24 KENNETH TIRONE: Yeah -- well, our trucks, 25 they do. 1 I can't tell you that -- 2 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Well, look, you're a 3 member of the task force, you're a member of -- 4 KENNETH TIRONE: No, no, I'm the -- I'm 5 sorry. 6 I'm representing the Motor Truck Association 7 today. 8 I'm not -- I happen to not be on the task 9 force. 10 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay, but you're part 11 of -- you're a member of the association? 12 KENNETH TIRONE: Exactly. 13 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 14 As a member of the association, not in your 15 own -- as in your own business, would you say that 16 truckers know the height of their trucks? 17 KENNETH TIRONE: Yes. 18 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 19 So you stated in your testimony that they 20 know that, in New York, they post it, and it's 21 generally a foot lower. 22 So, is this a gamble that they're taking? 23 Because I -- let me tell you, and I am not 24 questioning the intellect of these drivers, but I 25 see your brochure here. 1 I mean, is this a gamble that they're taking? 2 I mean, if they say their truck -- you know, 3 you said they know the height of their truck. 4 And, is there a standard height? 5 KENNETH TIRONE: No. 6 Most trucks, they could range anywhere -- you 7 know, your average truck ranges anywhere, from 8 twelve feet, up to, let's say twelve-eight. And 9 they go as high as thirteen now. 10 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Right, and they know 11 that? 12 KENNETH TIRONE: Yeah. 13 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: And then they still see 14 the sign. 15 You know, on your brochure, where it states 16 pretty clearly, you know, in multiple locations that 17 the DOT has posted, you know, at the end of the 18 arch, ten feet. 19 And then you see -- 20 KENNETH TIRONE: Six feet, or whatever. 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: -- you see, this. 22 And you see this on your front. 23 So, is this just a gamble they're taking, a 24 risk they're taking? 25 Because you also stated, it may cost up to 1 $10,000 to have your truck towed out of there, plus, 2 the civil damages that the State's gonna go after 3 these truckers, or, I guess, the carrier with as 4 well. 5 So they're just taking a gamble. 6 And would you concur that -- 7 Go ahead, do you want to say something? 8 KENNETH TIRONE: Well, what I was going to 9 say is, you know, there are a lot of issues that put 10 a driver on the wrong highway. 11 And -- 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: But, you know, we've 13 heard so much about a GPS system. 14 And I don't have one in my car. 15 My wife has one in her car, and we use it 16 frequently. She uses it all the time. 17 But I still verify, when I'm making a 18 right-hand turn -- 19 SGT. IRA PROMISEL: Exactly. 20 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: -- that it says the road 21 I want to go on. 22 But I look at the street sign, or I look at 23 the signage, that is posted by the municipality. 24 And, when a trucker is driving on a roadway 25 that says, Make a right-hand turn here for the 1 Meadowbrook Parkway, there's signage there that 2 says, "No Trucks Allowed"; "Maximum Truck Height." 3 And even on your brochure, you post where the 4 DOT has it. 5 Is this just going by the wayside, where 6 they're not even looking at this stuff, obviously? 7 KENNETH TIRONE: Yeah, well, for the most 8 part, they have to be, because how else? 9 You know, like you said, there's a sign, very 10 obvious, there's a height. 11 And they know the height of their trucks. 12 You know -- or they're supposed to know. 13 It's posted, nine times out of ten, at least 14 in our trucks, they're posted. 15 But you've seen it, you've -- 16 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: They post it on the 17 truck? 18 KENNETH TIRONE: Yeah, they're posted inside 19 the truck, and they're also posted on the corners of 20 the truck, you'll see, you know, twelve-foot-eight. 21 And it's in the mirror, and it's reverse, so 22 that they can see it when they're driving, you know. 23 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: But would you say -- you 24 know, we see truckers all the time on the thruway 25 when we come back and forth to Albany. 1 And I don't know how the basis of pay is 2 determined for some. 3 Whether they're independent or they work for 4 a company like yours, is it based on highway 5 mileage? is it based on time? 6 I mean, are these guys trying to take 7 shortcuts, with their gamble, to get to where they 8 have, to maximize what they're making? 9 KENNETH TIRONE: We don't have drivers. 10 We supply the truck and we supply the 11 maintenance. 12 But I will tell you, that what I hear from 13 drivers, is that they're trying to make time. 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Right. 15 KENNETH TIRONE: You know, there's a load, 16 they have to make, you know, a certain delivery on a 17 certain time. And, you know, and then there's 18 construction, and it diverts them off a highway that 19 they might be on, and then they're not familiar with 20 the roadway; and, yeah, they could see the signs. 21 But -- 22 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: They still gamble. 23 So, in your -- how many years have you been 24 in the industry? 25 KENNETH TIRONE: Thirty-five years. 1 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay, so you're an 2 expert, 35 years in the industry. 3 If the DOT, at one of the entrance ramps had 4 a bar -- 5 KENNETH TIRONE: You could stop right there. 6 You don't have to go any further. 7 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I would really like to 8 finish my -- 9 [Laughter.] 10 KENNETH TIRONE: I don't want you to finish, 11 because I agree with you 100 percent. 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: All right. 13 KENNETH TIRONE: I mean, I -- I -- we were 14 having a conversation earlier, and I said, that, you 15 know, I know I am like that. 16 When I go into a tiered parking lot, I'm -- 17 my car, I mean, you know the car is going to make 18 it. 19 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: You're ducking. 20 KENNETH TIRONE: But you're ducking, you're 21 looking, and then you're saying, "Did they take into 22 consideration that pipe?" you know, even though you 23 got through. 24 And it's the same thing here. 25 And you're not talking about putting a bar up 1 as high as the truck. They couldn't get through it. 2 You know, but there is some problems, and -- 3 which was brought up in our little discussion on the 4 side, with the maintenance vehicles, that the State 5 has that goes on on the roadways. You know, they go 6 on there with dump trucks, and things like that. 7 Unless, they made a separate, you know, 8 maintenance entrance, which wouldn't be that big of 9 a deal. 10 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Are they 13 feet high, 11 the trucks? 12 KENNETH TIRONE: What -- no. 13 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: DOT trucks? 14 KENNETH TIRONE: No, but they're probably -- 15 I don't know what -- they're probably 10 to, let's 16 say, 11, 12 feet, maybe tops. 17 Nothing that would be -- and they're aware 18 when they're going on those parkways. 19 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Right. 20 KENNETH TIRONE: You know. 21 So -- no, but I'm with you there. 22 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you. 23 Senator Martins? 24 SENATOR MARTINS: Mr. Tirone, thank you. 25 I'm with you too. I think that that's the 1 easy solution here, at least a commonsense solution. 2 But, I just wanted to ask you a question 3 about these heights. 4 KENNETH TIRONE: Yes. 5 SENATOR MARTINS: You know, nationally, 6 people who are driving in New York know that our 7 bridge heights are posted lower than they are -- 8 KENNETH TIRONE: Yeah. 9 SENATOR MARTINS: -- but they don't know what 10 our violations are. 11 They wouldn't know -- because they're 12 out-of-state drive, they wouldn't know what the 13 ticketing process is. 14 You said that increasing fines and increasing 15 ticketing in New York would not have an effect, 16 because they wouldn't know. But, they do know that 17 our bridges are marked differently than anywhere 18 else in the country. 19 So, I would think that, drivers being 20 drivers, they're going to know all aspect of what's 21 going on here. If they're going to drive in 22 New York State, they'll be aware of it. 23 But your own company posts the height of your 24 trucks 3 inches higher. The State posts these 25 heights -- 1 KENNETH TIRONE: Lower. 2 SENATOR MARTINS: -- 12 inches lower, so as 3 to create the variable that will prevent bridge 4 strikes. 5 Are you concerned, that if we minimize that 6 delta, that what we're actually doing is, creating 7 less, or, actually more of a likelihood, that 8 there's going to be a bridge strike? 9 KENNETH TIRONE: Well, you know, I never 10 thought -- 11 Before, I was sitting back, listening to the 12 testimony going on, I never thought about it, but I 13 said, you know: Why do you put 6-foot on the side 14 of your built-in pool, and it's 6-foot deep? 15 Why don't you put five, you know, or, twelve? 16 You know, why don't you just change that 17 depth? 18 So, why put something that isn't real? 19 You know, 3 inches is -- you know, like I 20 think one of the fellows said, that the pavement 21 heights, you know, could be changing, depending on, 22 if they came out and they just paveed, or did 23 something like that. 24 But a foot is a massive amount of -- 25 SENATOR MARTINS: But it's a foot 1 discrepancy, what I would consider to be in the 2 right direction. 3 KENNETH TIRONE: But it isn't working. 4 SENATOR MARTINS: It's not -- 5 KENNETH TIRONE: It isn't working. 6 You know what I'm saying? 7 SENATOR MARTINS: But, Mr. Tirone, if we 8 change it, isn't there -- I mean, I certainly have a 9 concern, that if there is already that perception 10 that is out there, unless we let every truck driver 11 in the country know that the discrepancy that had 12 been there, and that everybody seems to know about 13 nationwide, has changed, they're going to come in 14 here and say: Oh, I've got 12 extra inches. Let me 15 just go barreling through. 16 And what we're doing, is we're setting 17 ourselves up for even more bridge strikes. 18 KENNETH TIRONE: No, I understand. I 19 understand, you know, what you're -- you know, your 20 thinking there, that's for sure. 21 But I'm just saying, that, you know, there's 22 a time when you got to get real. 23 And right now, you know, they're not -- we're 24 not real. 25 And I understand, you know, the change, and 1 how word gets around. 2 And I think somebody said CBs are still out 3 there, but they're not out there as much. And 4 that's how word got around. 5 So, now, you're losing that correction, too. 6 SENATOR MARTINS: 1,500 trucks you have on 7 the road. 1,500-plus. 8 KENNETH TIRONE: Yep. 9 SENATOR MARTINS: Any problems? 10 KENNETH TIRONE: Yeah, we -- 11 SENATOR MARTINS: Like everyone else; right? 12 KENNETH TIRONE: No, we have guys hit 13 bridges. And, you know, it was raining, they 14 couldn't see. 15 You stop. 16 You know, you don't -- you know, you're 17 talking big money. 18 SENATOR MARTINS: Yeah, we agree. 19 You know, between you and I, pretend no one 20 else is listening, we agree that this idea of 21 putting a headache-bar in there, that the Chairman 22 just mentioned, and we're advocating here, 23 especially for a pilot program here, from a 24 practical standpoint, as a person who's got 25 1,500 reasons to want to make sure that these trucks 1 don't get on the road the wrong way, that seems to 2 be a solution, and a practical, commonsense 3 solution. And, you know, in these difficult times, 4 a cost-effective solution, easy to implement, ready 5 to go, that's going to provide, hopefully, some 6 relief short term. 7 So, thank you. 8 KENNETH TIRONE: Thank you. 9 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you very much. 10 Assemblyman Dave McDonough? 11 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: I just have one 12 thing, and I will address you correctly as 13 Chief Operating Officer Tirone. 14 There, right, you just got promotion 15 recognized. 16 Just one question: The task force, you said, 17 is that national? 18 Do most of states and the trucker 19 associations -- 20 KENNETH TIRONE: The task force is here in 21 New York. 22 But there are -- there are: 23 The Motor Truck Association of New York. 24 There's a Pennsylvania, New Jersey, 25 Connecticut, they're throughout the country. 1 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Because in a previous 2 thing, Kendra Adams had suggested, I think somebody 3 said, about a national program of education for the 4 trucking industry. 5 KENNETH TIRONE: Through TRALA. 6 Okay? 7 TRALA is the truck rental and leasing 8 organization. They're in Washington. They're a 9 lobbying group for us, you know, for the truck 10 rental and leasing companies. 11 And through them, we spread, you know, the 12 word. 13 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Okay. 14 KENNETH TIRONE: Thank you very much. 15 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: Thank you. 16 KENNETH TIRONE: If anybody would like these 17 brochures, see me later. 18 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: I would. 19 KENNETH TIRONE: Would you like one, to have 20 it? 21 (Mr. Tirone hands out brochures to the 22 Committee members.) 23 (Senator Martins exits the room.) 24 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: [Inaudible/technical 25 difficulties] Teamsters Local 707. 1 Kevin, thanks so much for being here. 2 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Senator, thank you for 3 inviting me, and members of the Committee. I 4 appreciate the opportunity to be here. 5 I'm here, not on just behalf of 6 Teamsters Local 707, but also Joint Council 16 that 7 represents over 100,000 teamsters in the New York 8 metropolitan area. 9 Our local represents almost 3,000 members, 10 the majority of them in the trucking industry. 11 We represent workers who work for YRC, ABF, 12 New Penn, UPS Freight, and Cardinal Health, just to 13 name a few. 14 As was pointed out before, it's not my 15 drivers that are hitting the bridges, for the most 16 part. We do have a couple of errant run-ins, but 17 for the most part, they understand, and they know, 18 that they shouldn't be on parkways, they shouldn't 19 be -- they know the routes they need to take. 20 And -- so -- but we do have some sort of 21 integral knowledge of what is, and as was said 22 before, of the mindset of truck drivers, through 23 discussions with them, and through the truck drivers 24 that have run on -- they run into and they pass on 25 to me. 1 So -- and as a former truck driver myself, I 2 also understand what happens. 3 Many of these incidents, I have to believe, 4 are through inexperienced drivers, which was pointed 5 out before. 6 I remember being a new driver myself, and the 7 panic sometimes that I felt when I got into a 8 situation where I didn't know how I was gonna get 9 out of. 10 And I grew up here in Long Island and I knew 11 what our roadways were like, and I understood what I 12 would get into. 13 But if you have somebody from, like, Arkansas 14 or Texas or Florida coming up here for the first 15 time into the big city, and seeing all the 16 congestion and all of the things that are going on 17 around them, a lot of things can be happening. 18 I think one of the biggest reasons, that had 19 already been pointed out before, is the GPS systems; 20 and that is, that they're relying on the GPS systems 21 to tell them where to go, because of the complexity 22 of our roadways. It's not as if you drive ten miles 23 and you may see another road. Here, the roads are 24 right on top of each other. 25 I think that almost all of these truck 1 drivers are relying on GPS systems right now. 2 And I think, as was said before, that it 3 needs to be a -- national standards need to be set 4 for commercial drivers using GPS systems that have 5 the overlays in there that will account for low 6 bridges and clearances. 7 What my experience, and what I've seen, not 8 only just through my working with the truck drivers 9 and as the president of the teamsters local, just 10 driving on Long Island, like yourselves have done, 11 and seen these trucks that are in those situations. 12 And this is something that's come up before 13 several years ago. We had a rash of these bridge 14 strikes. 15 And I was actually contacted by somebody in 16 the press, and they asked me: 17 What is the biggest problem? 18 What could prevent this? 19 And my response was, that signage needs to be 20 changed. 21 I look at -- and the signage has gotten 22 better. Almost all of the entrances have the 23 "No Truck" sign. 24 But, I could tell you, a truck driver that's 25 going down there, and is not familiar with the area, 1 and may be going onto a "No Commercial Vehicle" 2 roadway, may be one thing. 3 He'll say, maybe I'll get off at the next 4 exit. I can't turn around now. 5 He's got a 53-foot trailer, he's got a big 6 sleeper unit, and he's on that exit ramp when he 7 sees that, and he can't turn around. 8 "I'll get off at the next exit." 9 I think what really needs to be added to this 10 is the signage that says, "Low Bridge Ahead." 11 And someone from the DOT spoke about that 12 before, and the pavement markings. 13 Not only "No Commercial Vehicles," 14 "No Trucks," but, "Low Bridge Ahead," that will stop 15 somebody. 16 Nobody - you know, someone will take a risk 17 of getting a commercial for an off route because 18 they can't get off the highway in time, but nobody 19 wants to hit a bridge. 20 I think we need to -- there's certain 21 instances, examples, that we've done a very good job 22 on Long Island. And I think it's when you're 23 getting off the expressway, and over by the northern 24 state interchange, and you're heading south on the 25 Meadowbrook Parkway, there's plenty of signage in 1 there. 2 One of them is, it's got the sign with the 3 truck hitting the overpass. 4 I think if we start -- we talk about low-tech 5 solutions, I think the first thing we should do is 6 really improve the signage, to identify the fact 7 that you're not just going on a route that's 8 "No Commercial Traffic," but more importantly, that 9 you're gonna hit a bridge if you go on this roadway. 10 Many of these trucks that you see on there, 11 there's not a discrepancy of a couple of inches, or 12 whatever. 13 These trucks that are hitting the bridges are 14 13-foot-6-inch high, they're 53-foot trailers, and 15 they don't belong there, and they shouldn't be 16 there. 17 So it's not a matter so much of the 18 mismarkings, although that should be fixed. 19 But the problem is, is they're getting on 20 roadways that they shouldn't be on, and they are not 21 aware of the fact that they're just on the wrong 22 roadway, but they're gonna hit a bridge if they 23 continue down that road. 24 And I think that the best thing that we could 25 do, and the most low-tech solution we could do right 1 now, is improve the signage to really let them know 2 that there's bridges ahead, not that they're just on 3 the wrong roadway. 4 I was listening about the headache-bar. 5 Boy, I'd hate to be driving a truck and hit 6 that. 7 And I've had the misfortune of running into 8 some tree limbs from time to time, and it will wake 9 you up, it will give you a headache. 10 And I couldn't imagine the damage it would do 11 to the vehicles, and -- and -- but, I would suggest 12 possibly trying some that at some of those 13 intersections or those entrance ramps where we've 14 had some problems, where it's been extensive. And I 15 think it's worth a try. 16 But I think the cost and expense of putting 17 that on every single entrance ramp that we have to 18 any of our parkways would be astronomical. 19 And I think -- I think maybe a good low-tech 20 solution would be, to start with the increased 21 signage that identifies the fact that you're going 22 to hit a bridge if you get on this roadway, because 23 I don't think that's there right now. 24 One of the other things you talked about is 25 the inexperienced drivers. 1 I was just looking outside at your sign, 2 Senator, where it identified the hearing, and it had 3 the picture of the truck stuck under the bridge, the 4 parkway bridge. 5 And you could see it in there, it says -- it 6 says clearly, you can see, it's a fifty-three-foot 7 trailer, thirteen-foot-six high. 8 And on the back, it's got a decal. 9 And I pointed out to somebody before, it 10 says: Lease, train, then drive. 11 So -- and it goes to what's going on out 12 there. 13 The turnover in the owner-operators is 14 probably 100 percent, or close to it. And the 15 sergeant spoke about that. 16 It really is. 17 These guys are going out there, and they have 18 very little experience out there. 19 Our workers stay with us for 25 to 30 years. 20 I mean, they know it, they've got the experience. 21 They're a different kind of dynamic, in terms of 22 compensation, and the way the whole -- their 23 compensation's set up is -- works. 24 But, there's really the inexperienced 25 drivers. 1 We really need to get the message out there 2 through the motor truck associations. 3 The ATA is the national truck association, 4 which could be helpful in helping to get a message 5 in there about, how we have a distinct area here, 6 and that we have parkways, which most other states 7 do not have. 8 So -- 9 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Now, these "inexperienced 10 drivers," and I've heard that term many times this 11 morning, they're trained, correct, to become 12 drivers? 13 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: The inexperienced drivers? 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: I mean, I'm saying, 15 these -- they have to be trained somewhere to be a 16 driver; correct? 17 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Yeah, they go to a driver 18 training school, and, they get that training in 19 three months, and all of a sudden, they never drove 20 anything more than a -- maybe a pickup truck, and 21 they're driving a very large vehicle now. 22 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Right, and then they go 23 to a company, and they're a contract for hire, these 24 independents? 25 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Generally, those are the 1 only companies where they can get work because, to 2 go to work for the big trucking companies, you need 3 at least two years of experience. 4 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: But what type of goods 5 and services, what type of companies, are hiring 6 these individuals? 7 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: They -- usually, they're 8 truckload carriers. 9 We generally handle less-than-truckload, 10 which means there will be multiple shipments on the 11 truck at one time, and they consolidate it at 12 different facilities. And -- 13 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: So, Kevin, who are these 14 truckload carriers? 15 Who are these -- the owners of these 16 truckloads? 17 I mean, who are these businesses? 18 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Well, they're mostly 19 brokers and -- like, JB Hunt is a big one, where 20 they have the owner-operators. Almost all those -- 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: You see trucks all over. 22 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Yep. 23 Almost every one of those truckload carriers. 24 out there that -- 25 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Now, aren't they part of 1 a nationwide association, or a state, wherever they 2 are? 3 I mean, isn't it incumbent upon them, also, 4 to properly train these individuals, or educate 5 them? 6 And we've heard that here, you know, 7 repeatedly, education is important in preventing 8 these strikes. 9 I mean, isn't it incumbent upon them to 10 educate these contract-for-hire drivers as well? 11 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Absolutely. 12 And I just -- the only -- I think they do. I 13 think they tell them, you have to be aware of the 14 height clearance of your vehicle. 15 But, I think we have a unique situation here 16 in New York, and especially Long Island and 17 Westchester, where we've got the parkways which 18 nobody else has. 19 And they just -- and you put the combination 20 of a lot of things going on, and the GPS telling 21 them to go the wrong way, and it just comes 22 together. 23 And if you don't have the experience, you 24 don't know how to deal with it. You panic, you 25 don't know how you would get off that parkway, you 1 can stop now. 2 And you said: Let me take a chance. 3 You know? 4 But if we told them they were going to hit a 5 bridge if they take a chance, I think maybe they 6 would stop. 7 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Okay. 8 Dave? 9 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: I think that you've 10 got the best solution, at least for the short term, 11 is that "Low Bridge." Maybe, even, with like the 12 picture that the Senator has up, with a sketch of a 13 truck hitting the bridge. 14 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: "Don't let this happen to 15 you." 16 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: He doesn't want to 17 lose his load, you know, so he's going to lose hours 18 and hours. 19 And I think that's the best thing right now, 20 short term. 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Kevin, thank you very 22 much. Appreciate your testimony. 23 KEVIN MCCAFFREY: Thank you, Senator. 24 Appreciate it. 25 1 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Jeffrey Frediani and 2 Christopher McBride, from AAA. 3 Good afternoon. 4 Just, if you could for the record, state your 5 name, your title, and affiliation. 6 CHRISTOPHER MCBRIDE: Christopher McBride, 7 community transportation specialist with 8 AAA New York. 9 JEFFREY FREDIANI: And I'm Jeffrey Frediani. 10 I'm a legislative analyst for AAA New York State. 11 We're an association that serves more than 12 2.7 million members that reside in the state of 13 New York. 14 As we heard today, trucks hitting 15 low-clearance bridges are a very common occurrence 16 in the downstate region, and contribute to massive 17 traffic delays and impose significant costs on 18 taxpayers. 19 According to the New York State Department of 20 Transportation, nearly 200 trucks per year hit 21 low-clearance bridges and overpasses statewide, with 22 more than 70 percent of these hits concentrated in 23 the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island 24 where most of the state's parkways are found. 25 These parkways, which were designed in an 1 earlier era, have many bridges and overpasses with 2 clearances of ten feet or fewer. 3 Although this problem occurs on many types of 4 roadways in other parts of the state and country, 5 the problem in the downstate area seems to be 6 primarily on parkways. 7 In an effort to assess the problem and 8 come up with constructive recommendations to 9 address this issue, we recently examined the 10 ten highest-frequency locations in 11 Westchester County where tractor-trailers have hit 12 overpasses between 2002 and 2011. 13 In fact, Westchester County leads the state 14 with an average of 42 bridge strikes every year. 15 Our white-paper analysis found that the 16 Hutchinson River Parkway has the most problems with 17 trucks hitting overpasses. Eight out of ten of the 18 most frequently hit overpass locations in 19 Westchester County are on this roadway. 20 By far, the worst location of the them all 21 was the King Street overpass on the 22 Hutchinson River Parkway, with 93 hits between 2002 23 and 2011. 24 In our opinion, the problem at this location 25 is directly attributable to a lack of coordination 1 with respect to proper signage between the 2 New York State Department of Transportation and the 3 Connecticut Department of Transportation. 4 Even today, a year after the location was 5 cited in a report by the City University of New York 6 City College, the problems with signage leading up 7 to this location still have not been corrected. 8 Other locations, particularly the location we 9 cited on the Saw Mill Parkway, had less serious but 10 still problematic issues with signs, particularly 11 regarding signs adequately warning commercial 12 vehicles that they were prohibited at several 13 entrances to this roadway. 14 Proper signage is clearly an issue that the 15 New York State Department of Transportation needs to 16 stay on top of; however, it is not the sole cause 17 leading to truck crashes at these parkway 18 overpasses. 19 In our opinion, the key factor in many of 20 these crashes are out-of-state tractor-trailer 21 drivers that are unfamiliar with the area and are 22 using standard GPS devices, which, as we heard, do 23 not contain information on bridge heights. 24 Surveys conducted -- excuse me. 25 Surveys taken by the New York State 1 Department of Transportation, in conjunction with 2 several police agencies, show that a majority of 3 these drivers have only traveled to the downstate 4 region two times or fewer, and that many of these 5 smaller truck operators are not using commercial GPS 6 and/or guided by professional logistic services. 7 While the New York State Department of 8 Transportation has reached out to insurance 9 carriers, to encourage them to over discounts to 10 tractor-trailer drivers that use commercial GPS 11 units, much more needs to be done to get small 12 owner-operators to adopt this technology. 13 Accordingly, AAA New York strongly supports 14 Senator Schumer's recent request to the 15 United States Department of Transportation to 16 investigate this problem, and to issue standards 17 regarding GPS devices in commercial vehicles. 18 In our view, this would help eliminate many 19 of these types of crashes. 20 Additional actions can also be taken to 21 address this problem. These include: 22 Greater enforcement, including targeting 23 locations where these bridge hits occur most, and 24 making penalties stiff enough to discourage those 25 who knowingly use the parkways illegally; 1 Installation of low-clearance vertical signs 2 on all parkway entrances, as this would prevent 3 trucks from getting on the parkway in the first 4 place; 5 Installation of more over-height detection 6 systems, which are the electronic devices that 7 automatically detect a vehicle's height, as we've 8 heard before; 9 Greater outreach needs to be done to trucking 10 organizations, to spread the message that parkways 11 are roadways for them to avoid. 12 To their credit, the New York State 13 Department of Transportation has taken some steps to 14 address this problem. These include: 15 The formation of the regional bridge strike 16 task force, which consists of many of the 17 departments of transportation, police departments, 18 and the I-95 Coalition, to help determine the causes 19 behind the problem to better target enforcement and 20 prevention efforts; 21 The installation of the "Cars Only" pavement 22 markings on the Grand Central Parkway, and plans to 23 install these on several parkways in 24 Westchester County; 25 The addition of "No Truck"-symbol stickers as 1 well, on exit signs for accessing height-restricted 2 parkways; 3 The CB-radio broadcasts, as have been 4 discussed, along the parkways, warning trucks they 5 are prohibited; 6 Increased sign visibility; 7 And the distribution of pamphlets on height 8 restrictions to truckers applying for New York State 9 Tax ID numbers. 10 In our discussions with the New York State 11 DOT, officials have also voiced their desire to 12 implement a Commercial Vehicle Infrastructure 13 Integration system, which would provide real-time 14 communication between vehicles and the 15 infrastructure which would include crash-avoidance 16 capabilities. 17 Trucks hitting bridges is a serious issue. 18 Crashes, especially those involving hazardous 19 materials, can endanger lives, cause traffic delays 20 that add up to millions of dollars per year, and put 21 a strain on already meager infrastructure budgets. 22 We hope that this hearing acts as a launching 23 pad to prod public agencies to take the necessary 24 engineering, regulatory, and administrative efforts 25 to help solve this problem. 1 In addition, we would also like to see the 2 passage of a quick-clearance law in the state of 3 New York. 4 Such a law would allow those who respond to 5 traffic incidents to remove vehicles, cargo, and 6 debris from the roadway to help speed the clearance 7 of traffic lanes. 8 This would improve the safety and enhance the 9 mobility of the driving public. 10 And such a bill authorizing a law was 11 introduced in, both, 2009, and also last legislative 12 session. 13 We want to thank the New York State 14 Department of Transportation for their cooperation 15 and information they provided for our report, as 16 well as the City College of New York for their 17 bridge-vehicle-impact assessment, which provided 18 important background statistics and information for 19 our study. 20 We look forward to being a productive voice 21 in these discussions, and would like to thank you, 22 Chairman Fuschillo, for the opportunity to comment. 23 24 25 1 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you very much. 2 [Inaudible/technical difficulties.] 3 What your thoughts on the headache-bars? 4 CHRISTOPHER MCBRIDE: Well, I think that they 5 would certainly be worth trying. 6 I would -- first of all, I would recommend 7 asking the New York City DOT about them, because, in 8 the past, they have used them at a few locations on 9 the Bell Parkway. 10 And, I don't have any data on what their 11 effectiveness was, or if there were any issues with 12 it, but, you know, I know they've had them in the 13 past, probably about ten years ago. 14 So that might be worth looking into, you 15 know, to examine their effectiveness. 16 In terms of the, you know, liability issues, 17 like I said, that's something where you're gonna 18 have to weigh the pros and cons. 19 We would agree that, you know, trucks hitting 20 bridges is -- you know, is much more of a liability 21 issue than, you know, some sort of bar. 22 And if you think about it, the bars, I mean, 23 they could be designed in such a way, you know, to 24 minimize that. 25 If my memory recalls, when I did see these 1 devices on the Bell Parkway, they either used 2 plastic rods, or, in certain cases, styrofoam. 3 So, I mean, obviously, if those break off, 4 there's going to be less of an issue than, you know, 5 if a big metal bar breaks in half. 6 So, you know, like I said, in terms of the 7 headache-bars, yes, we definitely think it's 8 something that, you know, should be looked into 9 further. And, you know, look to see if any other 10 states have used them, you know, to see if they've 11 had any issues with them. 12 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Thank you very much. 13 Dave? 14 ASSEMBLYMAN MCDONOUGH: No, thank you. 15 Thank you for your testimony. 16 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Appreciate your 17 testimony. 18 Thank you very much. 19 JEFFREY FREDIANI: Thank you. 20 CHRISTOPHER MCBRIDE: Thank you. 21 SENATOR FUSCHILLO: Well, that concludes our 22 public hearing, and I appreciate the attendance of 23 all our speakers and guests. 24 We have our work cut out for us now at the 25 Transportation Committee, to see how we're going to 1 move forward, and work with the New York State 2 Department of Transportation, but, also, the 3 mitigation task force, and other levels of 4 municipalities throughout New York State. 5 I think the inter-municipal cooperation is 6 key, along with the trucking association as well. 7 And we're going to see how we move forward 8 with legislative remedies, if necessary. 9 So, thank you very much, everybody, for being 10 here. 11 I appreciate it. 12 Thank you. 13 (Whereupon, at approximately 12:18 p.m., 14 the public hearing held before the New York State 15 Senate Standing Committee on Transportation 16 concluded, and adjourned.) 17 18 ---oOo--- 19 20 21 22 23 24 25