Provides for a demonstration project for the use of enforcement cameras on high occupancy vehicle and bus lanes on the Staten Island Expressway

BILL NUMBER:S4147A

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to a demonstration program relating to the installation of roadside and bus mounted high occupancy vehicle and bus lane enforcement cameras on the Staten Island Expressway; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

Provides for a demonstration project for the use of enforcement cameras on high occupancy vehicle and bus lanes on the Staten Island Expressway.

Summary of specific provisions

A new section, 223-a, is added to the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

Justification

The Staten Island Expressway was opened in 1965 and was constructed with three lanes in each direction to accommodate the need for an express highway that would provide local and through-traffic service throughout Staten Island. At that time, the expressway carried approximately 50,000 vehicles per day. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) reports that approximately 130,000 vehicles per day traverse the western and central parts of the Island, rising up to 170,000 vehicles per day near the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

During the 1990's the NYSDOT began building dedicated bus-only express lanes along the expressway. These lanes opened in December of 2000 extending one-half mile west from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll plaza. In November of 2005, the bi-directional bus lanes were extended one mile west to Exit 12 (Todt Hill/Slosson Avenue). According the NYSDOT estimates, about 150 buses carrying a total of 13,000 passengers use the bus lanes.

In January 2008, the NYSDOT opened up the westbound XBL to passenger cars with two or more occupants (HOV 2+), but only from 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and only from the Verrazano Bridge toward Slosson Avenue. That special allowance will end once construction on the bridge ends.

Under this bill, cameras would be installed to capture the motorist who violates the bus-only lanes by photographing their license plate. Tickets would be mailed to violators, For those citizens who obey the law, using cameras to spot and ticket those who don't will not only be an incentive to stay out of the express bus lanes, it will also increase the travel time for the bus riders. Those who have a total disrespect for the law should be penalized by paying a traffic fine.

Prior legislative history

2013: Referred to Transportation; 2012: A.134 - Died in Transportation; 2010: A.6145 died in Transportation/S.2636 - Died in Transportation; 2008: A.11333 Died in Transportation/S.8418 Died in Rules.

Fiscal implications

Unknown.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become law and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after such effective date; provided that any rules or regulations necessary for the timely implementation of this act are authorized to be made on or before such effective date.