Transportation Publications

California's Transportation System

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June 7, 2018 - The state’s transportation system helps to move people and goods around and through the state. The aim of this primer is to provide policymakers and the public with key information about this system. The primer begins with a chapter describing transportation governance. The subsequent five chapters consist of visual charts that provide information about the following:

• Driving. Provides information on drivers, vehicles, state highways, and local streets and roads.
• Mass Transportation. Describes modes of transportation that move large numbers of people at once, such as transit and commercial aviation.
• Active Transportation. Provides information on bicycling and walking trips.
• Freight Movement. Discusses the movement of goods through air travel, rail, seaports, and highways and roads.
• Funding. Describes the revenue sources supporting California’s transportation programs and infrastructure.

Resources and Transportation Overview

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May 31, 2018 - To be presented to: 2018-19 Budget Conference Committee.

The 2018-19 Budget: Governor’s May Revision Proposal for Caltrans’ Capital Outlay Support Program

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May 13, 2018 - The Governor’s 2018-19 May Revision proposes 872 additional full-time equivalent staff resources for Caltrans’ capital outlay support program in order to accommodate increased workload resulting from Chapter 5 of 2017 (SB 1, Beall). In this post, we review the Governor’s proposal and identify issues for legislative consideration.

Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2018 Business Plan

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April 2, 2018 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Transportation

The 2018-19 Budget: Transportation Proposals

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February 8, 2018 - In this report, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for various transportation departments and programs. We begin by providing an overview of the Governor’s proposed budget for each department and program. In the next section, we discuss two cross‑cutting state transportation issues: (1) funding from the tax and fee increases authorized by Chapter 5 of 2017 (SB 1, Beall), and (2) an update on the condition of the Motor Vehicle Account (MVA). In the following three sections, we analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for Caltrans, CHP, and DMV. In each of these sections, we provide relevant background, describe the proposals, assess the proposals, and identify issues and recommendations for legislative consideration. The final section consists of a summary of the recommendations we make throughout the report.

A Review of Caltrans’ Vehicle Insurance Costs

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December 5, 2017 - In this report, we (1) describe various aspects of Caltrans’ vehicle usage, including the types of vehicles the department owns and its policies for employees to drive them; (2) provide an overview of the state’s vehicle liability self‑insurance program in which Caltrans participates; (3) examine the recent increases in Caltrans’ insurance premiums; and (4) identify options to contain the department’s premium costs. In accordance with the reporting language, we focus on Caltrans’ vehicle liability insurance costs in the report, though some of our findings could have implications for vehicle insurance costs for other state departments as well as state liability for other incidents besides vehicle collisions.

Overview of the 2017 Transportation Funding Package

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June 8, 2017 - In April 2017, the Legislature enacted Chapter 5 (SB 1, Beall), also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act. The administration estimates this legislation will increase state revenues for California’s transportation system by an average of $5.2 billion annually over the next decade. In this report, we (1) provide a brief background on the state’s transportation system, (2) describe the major features of the transportation funding package contained in the legislation, and (3) discuss issues for the Legislature to consider moving forward.

The 2017-18 Budget: Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

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February 22, 2017 - In this web post, we assess and make recommendations regarding the Governor's proposals for the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The 2017-18 Budget: Transportation Funding Package

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February 17, 2017 - In this report, we (1) provide background information on the state’s major transportation programs and funding sources, (2) describe the Governor’s proposed 2017‑18 transportation package including how the increased funding would be allocated, and (3) provide a road map to assist the Legislature in making certain key decisions it will face in developing a transportation package.

The 2017-18 Budget: Department of Transportation

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February 14, 2017 - In this web post, we assess and make recommendations regarding the Governor’s proposal for Department of Transportation electric vehicle charging stations.

The 2017-18 Budget: California Highway Patrol

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February 9, 2017 - In this web post, we assess and make recommendations regarding the Governor's proposal for California Highway Patrol office replacements.

Highway Maintenance and Repair Needs

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January 24, 2017 - Presented to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee

Options for Increasing State Funding for Transportation

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January 24, 2017 - Presented to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee

Overview of State Transportation Funding

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January 24, 2017 - Presented to: Senate Transportation and Housing Committee

The 2017-18 Budget: Overview of the Governor’s Transportation Budget

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January 18, 2017 - The Governor’s budget for 2017-18 proposes a total of about $20 billion in expenditures for the state’s various transportation departments and programs. In this web post we provide an overview of the proposed transportation budget.