Weekly Transportation Recap

April 6, 2018

WEEKLY TRANSPORTATION RECAP

IN THIS ISSUE

Co-Sponsor Memos Bill Actions Committee Stories PA Bulletin Upcoming Events Session Schedule In the News

Co-Sponsor Memos

HCO3170 Topper, Jesse(R) Designates a portion of State Route 1001 in Bedford County, as the First Lieutenant Eric Fisher Wood, Jr., Memorial Bridge.

HCO3171 Topper, Jesse(R) Designates a portion of State Route 36 in Bedford County, as the Marine Lance Corporal Darrell Magruder Memorial Bridge.

Bill Actions

HB 892 Murt, Thomas(R) (PN 999) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in miscellaneous provisions, adding an additional fine for distracted driver and establishing the Driver Distraction Awareness Fund into which the fine shall be paid. The fund shall be used solely for an educational program established by the Department of Transportation to alert the public to the new requirements and penalties and to encourage motorists to eliminate distractions in the vehicle as a means of reducing the risk of harm to themselves and others. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 03-16-17 H Filed 03-17-17 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation 04-03-18 H Hearing set for 1:30 p.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House Transportation -- House Transportation 04-03-18 H Public hearing held in committee House Transportation

HB 1608 Ward, Judith(R) (PN 2126) Act designating the bridge carrying U.S. Route 22 over the Juniata River, Norfolk Southern Corporation rail tracks and State Route 1010 (Penn Street) in Smithfield and Henderson Townships, Huntingdon County, as the Trooper Landon E. Weaver Memorial Bridge. Effective in 60 days. Bill History: 01-24-18 H Signed in the House 01-24-18 S Signed in the Senate 01-24-18 G In the hands of the Governor 02-01-18 G Approved by the Governor (Act: 1) 04-02-18 G Earliest effective date

HB 1684 Brown, Rosemary(R) (PN 2261) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in licensing of drivers, prohibiting calls on hand-held mobile telephones while operating a vehicle, except with the use of hands-free accessories. Stipulates that no one under the age of 18 years can use any hand-held

telephone while operating a moving vehicle. Provides for exemptions, and schedule of penalties for violations. Effective in 180 days. Bill History: 07-26-17 H Filed 07-27-17 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation 04-03-18 H Hearing set for 1:30 p.m., Room 140 Main Capitol, House Transportation -- House Transportation 04-03-18 H Public hearing held in committee House Transportation

HB 2148 Rothman, Greg(R) (PN 3184) Amends Titles 44 (Law & Justice) and 75 (Vehicles) establishing a six-year pilot program for accredited municipal and regional police to use radar as a speed timing device. Limits the use to only fulltime police officers and provides for defense against prosecution if being used to generate revenue. Requires annual progress reports from municipalities to the Department of Transportation and requires the department to make an annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits agencies from imposing quotas on the issues of citations for certain offenses. Effective in 120 days. Bill History: 03-16-18 H Filed 03-16-18 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation 04-04-18 H Discussed during public hearing, House Transportation -- House Transportation

HB 2221 Causer, Martin(R) (PN 3253) An act designating a portion of Pennsylvania Route 44 in Potter County as Highway to the Stars. Bill History: 04-03-18 H Filed 04-04-18 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Transportation

SB 251 Vulakovich, Randy(R) (PN 1316) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices by allowing the use of electronic speed meters or radar devices, including LIDAR, by any police officer in the Commonwealth upon completion of a training course approved by the Pennsylvania State Police and MPOETC. Requires periodic testing for accuracy of all devices. Stipulates political subdivisions must adopt an ordinance authorizing employ of such devices before they may be used by law enforcement and requires a 90-day written warning period when first implementing them. Also provides no person may be convicted upon evidence obtained through the use of an authorized device if the speed recorded is less than ten miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit. Outlines rules governing use of excess revenues and responsibilities of the Department of Revenue. Effective in 120 days. (Prior Printer Number: 231, 300) Bill History: 11-14-17 Laid out for discussion 3:17pm 11-14-17 Third consideration 3:18pm 11-14-17 S Final Passage (Vote: Y: 46/N: 3) 11-16-17 H Received in the House and referred to House Transportation 04-04-18 H Discussed during public hearing, House Transportation -- House Transportation

Committee Stories

House Transportation Committee 4/4/18, 10:00 a.m., 140 Main Capitol By Jessica Richardson and Nicole Trayer, Pennsylvania Legislative Services

The committee held a public hearing on radar legislation.

HB 2148 Rothman, Greg - (PN 3184) Amends Titles 44 (Law & Justice) and 75 (Vehicles) establishing a six-year pilot program for accredited municipal and regional police to use radar as a speed timing device. Limits the use to only fulltime police officers and provides for defense against prosecution if being used to generate revenue. Requires annual progress reports from municipalities to the Department of Transportation and requires the department to make an annual report to the General Assembly. Prohibits agencies from imposing quotas on the issues of citations for certain offenses. Effective in 120 days.

SB 251 Vulakovich, Randy - (PN 1316) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in rules of the road in general, further providing for speed timing devices by allowing the use of electronic speed meters or radar devices, including LIDAR, by any police officer in the Commonwealth upon completion of a training course approved by the Pennsylvania State Police and MPOETC. Requires periodic testing for accuracy of all devices. Stipulates political subdivisions must adopt an ordinance authorizing employ of such devices before they may be used by law enforcement and requires a 90-day written warning period when first implementing them. Also provides no person may be convicted upon evidence obtained through the use of an authorized device if the speed recorded is less than ten miles per hour in excess of the legal speed limit. Outlines rules governing use of excess revenues and responsibilities of the Department of Revenue. Effective in 120 days. (Prior Printer Number: 231, 300)

Chairman Taylor began that the issue has been around as long as he has been a member so it is not an easy issue but is one the committee is going to take up in the two bills they see today. He stated they have red light cameras in the city of Philadelphia that no one can dispute that they work, so if this provides another measure of safety and gains confidence of communities in which its used, then he is all for it.

Chairman Keller added he has no set opinion so the hearing will help them understand more.

Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) commented it has been a mystery why they give local police officers all other tools that exist today yet they do not give them the ability to use radar. He stated 35,000 people are killed on highways every year and speed is a huge cause. Rep. Rothman said the use of radar will be a deterrent and change the way people drive. He explained HB 2148 allows radar to be used only by full-time municipal police officers, requires training every three years, provides for a defense against prosecution if believe it has been used for revenue, restricts it to only one percent of revenue for municipal budget, gives no points for tickets, requires radar signs on the roads, and the speed limit must be certified by traffic studies. Rep. Rothman added he does support SB 251, but is trying to come up with a compromise.

Rep. Kortz inquired why it is restricted to full-time police. Rep. Rothman stated he is not sure of the rationale behind it but that was one of the objections. Rep. Kortz asked if he is aware of any law that has a full-time versus part-time police. Rep. Rothman replied it is not a law but the use of a device. He said it does not change any law about speed but gives an additional tool. Rep. Kortz inquired what the cost is for the road studies. Rep. Rothman stated he did not know.

Rep. Heffley suggested he look at what a part-time officer would be because there are part-time police officers in one municipality who could be full-time in another.

Rep. Neilson questioned the reasoning behind no points. Rep. Rothman replied it was one of the objections to using radar. He stated there will be a fine but the points are an additional punishment. Rep. Neilson asked where the rest of the money goes to and if the one percent to municipalities is limited. Rep. Rothman it is a deterrent to have the abuse of speed traps to generate revenue. Rep. Neilson suggested putting something in that would dump the money elsewhere.

Beth Readler, director of policy and legislative affairs, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), explained RADAR (Radio Detecting and Ranging) and LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) are two common tools available to the nation's law

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 enforcement officers to attempt to prevent deaths and serious injuries caused by traffic crashes resulting from excessive speed. She stated the use of radar has been a large component of PSP's speed enforcement program since 1961. In addition, the portability of a radar unit presents an advantage over some other types of speed detection devices, Readler said. She stated some methods of speed detection require a more lengthy process and require an officer to leave costly equipment unsupervised while they pursue a violator.

Readler added LIDAR has ease of operation and allows officers to pinpoint specific vehicles because of the narrow beam emitted by the device. She noted that LIDAR cannot be utilized while a patrol vehicle is in motion but radar can. Since 2014 PSP has cited over 650,000 individuals for speeding and approximately 93 percent of those involved the use of radar as the speed detection device, Readler said. She commented Pennsylvania is ranked fourth in the nation behind Texas, California, and North Carolina for most speeding-related traffic fatalities. Readler stated Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that expressly prohibits the use of radar in speed detection by any policy agency except the PSP and is the only state that does not allow its police officers or State Troopers to use LIDAR for speed enforcement. Readler said PSP is fully supportive of the use of radar and LIDAR by the municipal and regional police departments.

Chairman Taylor asked if speed enforcement cameras would be a version of LIDAR. Readler replied yes. Chairman Taylor questioned if they would support speed cameras. Readler stated they would be supportive of the concept. Chairman Taylor asked for a response that people believe if they used points and not fines no one would be interested in the bill. Readler explained PSP does not have a position on whether there should be points.

Rep. Brown questioned the accuracy of speed detection devices municipalities are using and the utilization of manpower, as some equipment requires more than one police officer. Readler responded they get a lot of concerns from municipal officers in their lack of ability to fully enforce speeding violations specifically because they do not have radar. She added if speed detection devices require more than one individual it could cause a man power issue.

Rep. Harper inquired if she heard correctly that the PSP would like the law to be fixed so they can use radar differently. Readler stated they would like to be able to use moving radar and LIDAR.

Rep. Kortz asked how PSP is trained in the use of radar. Readler explained cadets receive 40 hours of training in radar for basic training with part of it being hands on. She added there is no recertification. Rep. Kortz asked if their position on mobile use is that they would like to see it happen. Readler said yes.

Rep. Fee commented Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation for most speeding-related traffic fatalities but the other states mentioned all have the use of radar. Readler replied she thinks it would help reduce those types of crashes.

Rep. Marsico added he is glad they have finally received a clear answer on whether the PSP support municipal use of radar. He stated HB 2148 only has radar but SB 251 has both. Rep. Marsico asked if they would rather see the House Bill have both. Readler responded they would like the PSP and municipal officers to have as many tools as possible.

Dave Kennedy, president, Pennsylvania State Troopers Association (PSTA) stated he is joined by PSTA Counsel Sean Welby. He explained PSTA has been neutral on the authorization of radar by municipal and regional police departments but they do have recommendations on how legislation should be implemented. Kennedy commented HB 2148 best addresses some of their concerns. He explained they believe that utilization of radar should be restricted to full time officers employed within a full service police department, but as written they believe the bill inadvertently excludes all police officers employed in any borough of First Class Township with three or more full time officers.

Kennedy added they believe that both SB 251 and HB 2148 include provisions that unintentionally would severely restrict or prohibit speed enforcement by State Police officers. Also the engineering and traffic study, signage, and local ordinance requirements make it highly unlikely that many of the municipalities would incur those costs or take such action, Kennedy said. He stated they would prefer the limitations of penalties imposed under section 3362 only apply to the first two speeding offenses. Kennedy added they enable clear authorization for the PSP to utilize moving radar. Welby commented they should make it clear in legislation that they are not restricting radar and that it is a tool that has to be used responsibly.

Chairman Keller inquired if they support moving radar for all officers. Kennedy replied if it is a pilot program they support it for the State Police so they can do a study.

Rep. Heffley questioned if moving radar works if both vehicles are moving in the same direction. Kennedy stated yes. Rep. Heffley disagreed that people are just concerned about the fine, as points affect other areas such as insurance rates.

Rep. Corbin asked if there are any safety issues regarding moving radar. Kennedy explained currently radar is stationary on the side of the highway and once an office identifies an offender they have to enter traffic at a high speed. He said it puts the trooper's life and others in danger.

Rep. Culver commented she continues to hear people object to radar because Pennsylvania speed limits are too low. Kennedy stated they would have to defer to the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on that.

Rep. Kortz inquired why their position is that it only be used by full-time police. Kennedy explained since it is a pilot program it would be easier to track. Rep. Kortz asked for elaboration on concerns with signage and speed studies. Kennedy stated the way the bill is written it requires municipalities to do studies and post signage and for them to conduct those is expensive. Rep. Kortz inquired what they think about recertification under the bill. Kennedy replied since it is a pilot program they see recertification as a good thing.

Rep. Stephens asked if State Police have jurisdiction over 85 percent of the land. Kennedy said yes. Rep. Stephens asked if that means 85 percent already use radar. Kennedy replied yes.

Rep. Rothman said it is not the intent of the bill that it prohibits State Police from using radar. Welby added they are always willing to work to clarify or improve the bill.

Jim Nowalk, mayor of Borough or Whitehall explained he is present as the president of the Pennsylvania State Mayors' Association. He explained the commonwealth establishes maximum speed limits that are only enforced by the PSP on the roads and controlled by municipal police in a much lesser degree. Nowalk stated the current policy provides uneven enforcement of law, unnecessary death, and disrespect toward municipal officers. He commented Pennsylvania prohibits one nonlethal piece of equipment for one group of law enforcement personnel. Nowalk questioned if the prime object is public safety then why are municipal police prohibited from using radar. Nowalk explained PSP enforce the maximum speed laws in 60 percent of municipalities using radar and because of the versatility are able to enforce them within six miles per hour, while municipalities must by law wait until someone exceeds the limit by ten miles per hour. It is undeniable that maximum speed laws are not being enforced uniformly throughout Pennsylvania and the sole reason is that public policy prohibits municipal police from using radar, Nowalk said. He questioned how they can ask municipal officers to put their life on the line but then deny them equipment that will help them do their job.

Amy Sturges, director of government affairs, Pennsylvania Municipal League and Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners, commented they have been working on this issue for decades and they are urging the committee to vote on the bill. She stated public safety is the responsibility of local government and speeding motorists are jeopardizing public safety and breaking the law. Radar is more effective, more economical, and has been used by the PSP since the 1960s, Sturges said. She stated there are protections for motorists in SB 251 such as the use of certification of radar devices and calibration for accuracy. Sturges explained if there is fear that local municipalities will be able to generate money from the fines, that is unlikely. She said municipalities receive $25 from the citation and have additional costs such as the use of the speed timing device, cost of equipment, cost of officer, and cost for officers to appearing court. Sturges added it is illegal for the order or suggestion that officers use radar or speed timing devices to maintain a quota.

Chuck Mummert, Elizabethtown Borough mayor and past president of Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, stated there is no question that the technology is there. He said in Elizabethtown they have speed signs that indicate how fast someone is going and they find people slow down and maintain posted speed limits if the signs are there. Mummert added there are also problems in his town with people going through stop signs which are often because exceeding the speed limit. He asked the committee to consider SB 251.

Elam Herr, assistant executive director of government affairs, Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, commented he cannot count how many times he has testified on this issue and radar is a tool that is desperately needed. He added it is a safety issue and it is ironic that all other states trust municipal officers but

Pennsylvania does not. This is not a money making measure as municipalities retain one half of the speeding portion of the ticket which is $17.50 to $21.25 per ticket, Herr said. He stated they support SB 251, but have concerns with HB 2148. Herr explained HB 2148 has a ridiculous provision of restrictions on who can use it and has studies that are a waste to taxpayer money. Chairman Taylor commented they have a lot to consider and do not think that any theory is disparaging police officers. He said every bill they pass is a pilot program in effect as it means they just need to look at it before it is renewed. Chairman Taylor asked if they eliminate the term pilot program what the opinion is on the local option. Herr replied similar with the Senate Bill they should take out pilot program and allow municipalities to decide if they want to do it. He added HB 2148 has other provisions that would make someone decide not to do it. Nowalk added each municipality has to adopt an ordinance in each bill.

Chairman Taylor inquired what they would refer to the best technology out there as he has one of the most unique highways in America in his district and they cannot expect police to set up there. Nowalk responded that they make a decision as a board, but in his own opinion some roads are so dangerous that cameras are the only way to enforce the law. Sturges added they would be supportive of being able to use that at the local level.

Chairman Keller added Chairman Taylor is doing his job and holding hearings on the matter. He said he does not think it is fair to suggest they are disrespecting police officers or not doing their job.

Rep. Marsico stated SB 251 authorizes any police office in the commonwealth to use radar if it is passed, such as sheriffs, transit police, and park police. Nowalk responded he does not think sheriffs are considered police officers except in Allegheny County. Herr added if that is correct, he agrees that it should be limited to PSP and municipal officers, not sheriffs, constables, or fire police.

Rep. Rothman commented they have been working on getting a bill on radar for quite some time and asked if his bill provides radar. Herr explained the bill does allow for radar but there are provisions that are unacceptable. He said it is a poisoned bill from the standpoint that the cost of studies to implement it are cost prohibitive and municipalities will not do it. Nowalk stated the bill will not apply to any non-accredited police department and accreditation for some is costly compared to the benefit it is supposed to have. Rep. Rothman said the bill moves the ball forward and he does not agree that it is an illogical or poisoned bill.

Chairman Taylor mentioned their goal is to get a product out of the committee that is best as they want a bill that survives.

Rep. Harper noted that she is in favor of whatever bill they can get passed to give radar to local police, but the engineering study could be a problem. She asked if it is correct that speed limits are setup is by an ordinance and traffic study unless it is by PennDOT. Herr responded the way the law is written there needs to be a traffic and engineering study to set speed limits. Rep. Harper commented the studies may be unneeded as the speed limits were already considered.

Rep. Heffley added he has no problem supporting local radar use but the general public is not all supportive.

Rep. Kortz commented there are important subject issues with HB 2148 but no matter where it ends up they need to bring radar to local government.

Rep. Marshall stated he supports and respects all law enforcement in Pennsylvania and believes every department should have the opportunity to utilize tools to do their work safely and efficiently. He said it seems that the panel favors the Senate Bill. He asked if there are any provisions in SB 251 that should be removed or included in the bill if it was amended in the committee. Nowalk gave his concerns about getting it through on time and believes they should not touch the bill. Herr agreed but stated if the question raised by Rep. Marsico is true then the bill needs to be changed. Chairman Taylor noted there is plenty of time for the bill. He said the chances of SB 251 not being touched are very small but that should not give concern that the bill will not be done this year.

Bill Mancke, a retired defense attorney, said his legal practice primarily provided defense of motor vehicle violations and he has also been a licensed radar operator for over 30 years. He provided an overview of radar technology and explained that a police radar system is made up of a transmitter and receiver that uses the Doppler principle to compare the shifted frequency of a moving object's reflection to the original frequency of the transmitted beam. The difference is then used by the radar equipment to calculate speed, which is displayed on the screen, he said. However, he said radar remains a "far-from-perfect tool for traffic enforcement" and does not have a sight that can be

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 used to aim at a specific target. Identifying a target is consistently a problem for accurate readings and is often influenced by target size, shape, composition, position and speed, he pointed out. To combat this issue, he said the Northwestern University Traffic Institute suggests that radar operators use a minimum of three seconds in vehicle spacing.

Additionally, he raised the issue of vehicle identification and said radar is affected by interference which is usually either manmade or natural. Examples of manmade interference include air conditioning and heating fans in vehicles while natural interference can be things like birds in flight or heavy rain, he said. Mancke criticized Pennsylvania's use of radar for not always complying with state police field regulations or acceptable radar principles. He offered examples of radar being transmitted through closed windows, in congested areas, in close proximity to air conditioning or heating fans as well as into side or rear-view mirrors. He stated that any legislation must include a "specific and detailed curriculum of training for all officers using radar to protect the public from misuse." He added that at a minimum the parameters of training must include: • A minimum number of hours of training • A set curriculum of relevant training topics • Required hands-on training • Requirements for hiring instructors to prevent any conflict of interest • A required written test with a minimum score needed to pass • Public access to training and instruction manuals • A prohibition against intentional concealment applicable to all police officers

Jeffery Williams, National Motorists Association (NMA), said his organization "strongly opposes SB 251 and any other bill that would allow radar and lidar to be used by local police as timing devices." He explained that the use of these devices is to control motorists into speed traps that ultimately leads to "policing for profit." Speed limits must be based on "sound-traffic engineering principles" that typically result in speed limits set at the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic, he said. He offered various suggestions from the NMA including an established limit on the percent of local revenues that any community can generate through traffic fines, a requirement that a high percentage of all traffic fines and related costs be transferred to an unrelated state fund, required training for radar operators, the right to a change of venue to a court of record for those charged with traffic violations and the prohibition of electronic speed measurement devices within 100 yards of a speed limit sign that reduces the previous limit.

He further detailed issues with the radar equipment such as the need for regular calibration and expressed concerns over SB 251's requirement of a yearly calibration as well as its allowance for tickets at six miles per hour over the limit.

Earle Drack, electrical engineer and concerned citizen, focused his testimony on the use of a non-radar device called the ENRADD EJU-91, which is widely used by local police across Pennsylvania. He explained that all non-radar devices must be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) before they can be used as the basis for a citation. In the case of the ENRADD, he said PennDOT allowed the manufacturer to determine what testing was or was not performed on the device. He added that the device was also not road-tested before its approval. In terms of accuracy, he stated there are many issues with the device, but specifically mentioned the issue that occurs if the beams are triggered by two different points on the car resulting in an artificially high-speed reading. Drack also brought up the issue of calibration and explained that the Pennsylvania code requires the device be calibrated assuming a five-foot spacing. However, he said the ENRADD uses a three-foot spacing and therefore can't properly be calibrated according to state code. Drack called for the ENRADD device to be immediately suspended pending a thorough investigation of the problems it has. He also said the manufacturer should be taken out of the approval process and calibration testing.

Chairman Taylor said the committee will work to move toward a standard where expertise is utilized within PennDOT rather than relying on an outside party. Drack responded that due to the technology of the device he is not sure whether that responsibility should lie with PennDOT and again suggested the suspension of the ENRADD. Chairman Taylor said he does not know if that will happen.

Rep. Kortz asked Williams whether the NMA is completely opposed to radar due to the potential collection of revenue by local police departments and what he called "policing for profit." He pointed out that the caps put in place by both pieces of legislation "debunk" the NMA's argument. Williams said the question is who would enforce those percentage revenue targets. Rep. Kortz said it would be mandated by law that the money would go back into the

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 general fund. Rep. Kortz added that Williams' statement that lawmakers are sanctioning ticket quotas by supporting these bills is a "very inaccurate statement." He asked Williams how he would respond to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that show Pennsylvania had the fourth highest number of speeding-related fatalities and the second-highest percentage of speeding related fatalities to total fatalities in 2015. Williams said if an individual is impaired at the wheel due to exhaustion and then crashes that can be considered a speeding-related crash even though it was due to the driver's impairment. Rep. Kortz then asked Williams whether he is opposed to radar use by the PSP. Williams said he is not.

Rep. Marsico asked the panelists whether or not they are in favor of lidar. Mancke said he is against it. Drack said he would have to look into it more closely. Williams said he would be opposed.

Rep. Lawrence asked Williams how many people in Pennsylvania are members of the NMA. Williams said he was unsure, but that it could be less than one percent of the state population. Rep. Lawrence pointed out that Williams' argument was based on the idea that speed limits in Pennsylvania are set too low and asked him what the process should be to set speed limits. Williams said using a study to establish 85th percentile levels should be part of the process. Rep. Lawrence explained that PennDOT currently uses the 85th percentile or "safe running speed" to set limits and asked Williams whether he agrees that the best practice the NMA calls for is the system that is already in place. Williams said he would agree that that is the best practice. Rep. Lawrence asked if the NMA were to come to the conclusion that PennDOT was setting speeds at the 85th percentile would they then have any problem with local police enforcing that. Williams said not at all.

Jim Cowden, owner of the YIS/Cowden Group, Inc., said his company is the manufacturer that has been discussed by previous testifiers. He said his company supports local police having access to all modern technology including radar and that the YIS/Cowden Group currently does calibrations for approximately half of the municipalities in Pennsylvania. The only changes that have occurred to the ENRAD device involved taking it from a five-foot to three- foot system and removing the cable that tied an officer to that device, he noted. He explained that going wireless allowed law enforcement officers to have freedom to move around and to not be so close to moving traffic.

Lou Staccone, speed timing sales and training, YIS/Cowden Group, Inc., said the PSP began using radar technology in the early 1960s, but despite changes since then the Commonwealth has not kept up with it from a lawmaking standpoint. He commented that the men and women of law enforcement have been asking for these tools for years and that there are measures in place to prevent abuse of these resources. He explained that radar case law says a motorist cannot be convicted of a traffic violation solely based on radar, but that the radar operator must first visually track the car and estimate its speed before triggering a radar device. He also highlighted the improvements of the technology such as its ability to lock a target in one window and continue to track it through another window to see if the speed has changed. Staccone commended the committee for working to create a bill to address this issue and urged them to require minimum training for local police officers before they can use radar technology similar to how it's currently done by the PSP.

Rep. Kortz asked if the radar guns have a requirement to be tested every few years. Staccone said they must be checked once a year. Rep. Kortz asked if many are out of calibration when tested. Staccone said no, but instead most findings show the devices either work or do not. Rep. Kortz inquired whether state troopers must check the calibration before going out on patrol. Staccone said there is a pre and post-test that must be done by the radar operator which includes both an internal and external test. Rep. Kortz asked if the results of those tests are recorded. Staccone said he did not know.

Steve Junkin, police chief, Hamden Township Police Department, said radar technology has been used by the PSP for over 50 years and its versatility has been well-proven in addressing the issue of traffic safety. He pointed out that Pennsylvania is the only state in the country that does not allow the use of radar by municipal police agencies. He explained that local police departments did not have the annual training and certification they do today when that statute was put in place and that the current differences between the PSP and municipal departments are almost "indistinguishable," specifically in regards to traffic safety. "I believe the commonwealth's public policy makers and law enforcement professionals need to come together and provide access to all available resources to enhance public safety," he said.

Mark Green, police chief, East Pennsboro Township, said everything that occurs in the township is his department's responsibility to address, but they are not given all the tools necessary to address those tragedies such as car crashes. He commented that speeding in neighborhoods is the top complaint his department receives and that it is equally, if not more important to employ speed reducing technologies in neighborhoods as it is on the interstates. He

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 said the $17.50 that East Pennsboro Township receives for over 90 percent of speeding violations is not important to him. His total traffic and non-traffic revenue for all violations was $36,953 in 2017. Losing speeding revenues would make little to no difference for his department's budget, he added. "I'm just asking for the tools to respond to the complaints of our residents and to make our communities as safe as possible," Green said.

Joseph Regan, recording secretary, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Pennsylvania State Lodge, said the FOP supports the use of radar by local police departments under "appropriate circumstances." On SB 251, he said the FOP appreciates that the bill permits the use of new technology by local departments through addressing safety and health concerns as well as providing for protections against possible abuse. Regan expressed satisfaction that SB 251 requires local police officers to satisfy training standards set by the Municipal Police Training and Education Commission and requested that this approach remain consistent when introducing other new tools such as lidar. Additionally, he said by limiting the local share of radar revenues, SB 251 is preventing the possibility of overuse and/or abuse by "overzealous municipalities."

Chairman Keller said he wanted to point out that the hearing was a necessary tool for the committee to do its job. He added that part of that job includes not passing a bill if there are known flaws. Chairman Taylor thanked the panelists and members of the audience for attending. He said the committee wants to give local police the same tools as the PSP and will work to put out the best bill possible.

Written testimony was submitted by the following: • Nathan Kirschman, concerned citizen of York County • Summary of radar legislation • National Conference of State Legislatures • Delaware River Port Authority • Current law on Radar use in Pennsylvania

- 30 - House Transportation Committee 4/3/18, 1:30 p.m., 140 Main Capitol By Nicole Trayer and Jessica Richardson, Pennsylvania Legislative Services

The committee held a public hearing on distracted driving legislation.

HB 1684 Brown, Rosemary - (PN 2261) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in licensing of drivers, prohibiting calls on hand- held mobile telephones while operating a vehicle, except with the use of hands-free accessories. Stipulates that no one under the age of 18 years can use any hand-held telephone while operating a moving vehicle. Provides for exemptions, and schedule of penalties for violations. Effective in 180 days.

HB 892 Murt, Thomas - (PN 999) Amends Title 75 (Vehicles), in miscellaneous provisions, adding an additional fine for distracted driver and establishing the Driver Distraction Awareness Fund into which the fine shall be paid. The fund shall be used solely for an educational program established by the Department of Transportation to alert the public to the new requirements and penalties and to encourage motorists to eliminate distractions in the vehicle as a means of reducing the risk of harm to themselves and others. Effective in 60 days.

Rep. Brown, prime sponsor of HB 1684, said her bill is intended to "ensure our roadways are as safe as possible" through hands-free cell phone use.

Rep. Harper read a statement on behalf of Rep. Karen Boback (R-Luzerne) regarding legislation she plans to introduce to address the issue of distracted pedestrians. The bill would add a $25 penalty fee to individuals convicted of being a distracted pedestrian by leaving the curb or other place of safety and walk into the path of a vehicle while using an interactive device, Rep. Harper explained. In Rep. Boback's statement, she said numbers provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2015. She also pointed out that towns like Fort Lee, New Jersey, have completely banned texting while walking to combat the issue while New York City has reduced speed limits in certain areas as a result. "Both distracted driving and distracted pedestrians create many problems and I fear that if we don't address the issues, more Pennsylvanians will be harmed," Rep. Boback wrote.

Chairman Taylor said HB 892 sponsored by Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery) is an "add-on" that creates an added fine and set of duties to those convicted of careless driving.

Eileen Miller shared the story of her son, Paul Miller Jr., who was killed by a distracted driver. She said her 21-year- old son was killed on July 5, 2010, by the distracted driver of a tractor-trailer who had been reaching for his cell phone. She explained that at the time of the crash the first responders did not consider distracted driving as the cause of death nor consider pressing charges. It was not until her family pursued a civil case that they found out the driver had been distracted, she said. Since her son's death, Miller said she has been advocating to prevent distracted driving. "Hands-free is not risk-free," she said. "You're still distracted in your brain, but it's a step up."

Chairman Taylor thanked Miller for her testimony and said "meaningful legislation" will be passed in Paul's memory.

Rep. Brown said 16 other states have enacted hands-free legislation and that it is enforceable. Paul Miller, father of Paul Miller Jr., reported that he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) almost two years after the death of their son. He said Pennsylvania needs to stay focused and "be ahead of the game." He said he is proud of his wife for her advocacy, especially with children. "We need stronger laws and they have to be enforced," he said.

Rep. Kortz said a law against texting and driving was passed a few years ago, but people still do it. He said he hopes the committee and General Assembly can "put some more teeth in that law."

Major Edward Hoke, director of the Bureau of Patrol, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), said that in 2016 there were 129,395 statewide crashes resulting in 1,188 deaths and 82,971 injuries. Distracted driving was identified as a causal factor in 61 of the fatal crashes, he noted. He explained that a distracted driving crash is one in which the investigating law enforcement agency determines that the primary causal factor for the crash was "inattentive driving." He added that distracted driving not only includes the use of a cell phone, but also eating, grooming or talking to other passengers in the vehicle. He said the numbers on distracted driving may be underreported and that it can be difficult for law enforcement to determine if distracted driving was truly a causal factor. Both HB 892 and HB 1684 would enhance the statutory authority law enforcement has to keep Pennsylvania's roadways safe, he said.

Gavin Gray, Highway Safety Section Chief, Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said the department is "strongly supportive of efforts to reduce distracted driving." He explained that PennDOT dedicates funding to promote education and awareness on distracted driving through its Strategic Highway Safety Plan. He pointed out an increase of 8.5 percent in distracted driving crashes in Pennsylvania from 2013 to 2017 with a 7.1 percent increase in crashes involving a hand-held cell phone. Gray said PennDOT monitors national research on this topic and studies are currently underway to review risk communication strategies for distracted driving messages and to develop hazard perception and distracted driving intervention for teens. He said PennDOT suggests that HB 1684 be modified to align with federal funding criteria in order to ensure PennDOT can receive the full amount of federal funding available to support educational outreach and enforcement efforts.

Chairman Taylor asked Gray to provide the committee with the proper language to ensure PennDOT is eligible to receive federal funds.

Chairman Keller said Act 85 was passed in 2014 banning hand-held devices for those with a commercial driver (CDL) license and asked if there are any statistics on the number of violations. Hoke said he would get the committee that information. Chairman Keller said the statistics would help to show that the law for commercial drivers has been enforceable and wanted to know if there have been any violations. Hoke said there has and that he would get that data.

Rep. Schlossberg asked the best way to design a hands-free law and how harsh the penalties should be. Gray said the offense must be a primary offense or else the state is not eligible for federal funding. He added that a total cell phone ban for those under the age of 18 and those with a graduated driver license (GDL) would also be beneficial.

Rep. Harper wanted to know if there is something wrong with the way the law is currently written that makes distracted driving difficult to prosecute. Hoke said enforcing the law against texting and driving is difficult to enforce due to requirements of the law. Without obtaining the phone, he said, it is difficult to determine that the driver was texting.

Rep. Harper asked whether testimony can be used if the crash victim saw the driver using a phone. Hoke said it would be beneficial to the investigation and that the information could be used to obtain a search warrant if

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 necessary. Without that testimony, he said law enforcement officials are left to ask the operator of that vehicle whether they were using their phone at the time of the crash.

Rep. Harper asked if there is anything the legislature can do to make it easier for law enforcement to obtain cell phone evidence after a crash. Hoke said doing so would have to fall in line with the premise of the constitution, but that it would be a tool for law enforcement to use in an investigation. Rep. Harper said she would hope the PSP instructs those investigating a crash to ask the witnesses if they saw a cell phone in use. Hoke said that has been the practice for "quite some time."

Rep. Brown asked if there are any changes that should be made to HB 1684 from a law enforcement perspective. Hoke said the bill does not currently provide the definition of a law enforcement officer and first responder, which could be problematic for law enforcement agencies once the case gets to the court.

Rep. Heffley said commercial vehicles have an on-board recording device and asked whether law enforcement is able to access that information to determine whether the vehicle was moving while a cell phone was being used. Hoke said law enforcement does have the ability to download data from the recorders on the vehicles and that he would be willing to follow-up with more information.

Rep. Neilson said it is difficult to see whether the driver of a commercial vehicle is using a cell phone and asked whether most violations by CDL drivers come after the occurrence or if individuals are pulled over. Hoke said it depends on perspective and often the trooper can see the operator using a cell phone as the vehicle is approaching or at night the cell phone gives off a glow. Rep. Neilson asked for statistics on Act 98 of 2011 as well as suggestions on what would actually be defined as a "device." He asked Gray how much funding PennDOT spends annually on distracted driving education. Gray said he would have to get the specific number for the committee.

Rep. Kortz asked whether a vehicular accident involving a fatality becomes a crime scene instantly. Hoke said yes. Rep. Kortz wanted to know whether cell phones are considered part of the evidence or if a warrant is needed. Hoke said in order for a cell phone to be seized there must be a "clear cut indication" that the phone was in use at the time of the crash. Rep. Kortz asked whether something can be done to allow law enforcement to obtain the cell phone as evidence immediately. Hoke said that would be beneficial, but it would have to fall within legal parameters.

Rep. Stephens asked if the current ban on texting while driving is the only prohibition Pennsylvania has. Hoke said it is the only one that addresses using a hand-held device to read or send a text message. He said the other prohibitions address the use of a hand-held device by CDL operators as well as careless and reckless driving. Rep. Stephens said that in New Jersey it is a crime just to have the cell phone in one's hand and wanted to know if that type of provision would be helpful in terms of enforcement. Hoke said it would be beneficial in preventing any ambiguity in the law and that it would be helpful in eliminating the means of distraction.

Steve Blackistone, state and local liaison, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said since 2002 the NTSB has investigated at least six major highway crashes where a hand-held device was involved. He said epidemiological, driver simulator and naturalistic studies all show that the risk of a crash is higher if the driver is using an electronic device. He explained that hands-free is not risk-free and that a driver's level of cognitive distraction is about equal whether using a hand-held or hands-free device. In order for change to occur, he said there needs to be a three-pronged approach made up of good laws, good education and good enforcement. He pointed out that laws designed to change behavior have been much more likely to have long-term success when combined with high visibility enforcement and public information campaigns. He said this approach has been successful in enforcing the use of seatbelts and in limiting drinking and driving. "The NTSB believes a significant number of lives can be saved and injuries avoided if Pennsylvania expands and strengthens its law to include all non-emergency use of all portable electronic devices," he said.

Ted Leonard, Executive Director, Pennsylvania AAA Federation, stated the proportion of drivers who report talking on a cell phone regularly or fairly often behind the wheel increased 46 percent since 2013. He added nearly half of drivers report recently talking on a hand-held phone while driving and nearly 35 percent have sent a text or email. Leonard said despite the behavior, nearly 58 percent of drivers say talking on a cell phone behind the wheel is a very serious threat and 78 percent believe that texting is a significant danger. Leonard explained that according to an AAA Foundation study, a distraction can last for an additional 27 seconds. It also found that 58 percent of teen driver crashers were due to driver distraction and in 50 percent of rear impact crashes the driver exhibited no reaction at all before the crash, Leonard said. He stated AAA supports texting bans but does not have a position on handheld bans. AAA recommends that drivers not use cell phones for non-emergency calls while operating a vehicle, even if

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 stopped. HB 1684 only applies when the car is in motion, he noted. Leonard added the bill only bans engaging in a car while on a handheld phone which may allow for using the phone for other functionalities. Because distracted driving increases the risk of a crash and the severity of a crash, AAA also asks for a standard or primary seatbelt law, Leonard said.

Joseph Regan, Recording Secretary and Legislative Committee Chairman, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Pennsylvania State Lodge, stated both bills are intended to respond to the growing problem of distracted driving. He explained the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reports that distracted driving was a factor in almost 400,000 traffic accident in the United States in 2015, resulting in 3,500 deaths. In Pennsylvania distracted driving was a factor in almost 15,000 crashes and 61 deaths, Regan said. He stated perception or reaction time is important for safe driving and diminishes with the use of devices and other distractions. Regan explained the average reaction time should be 2.5 seconds. He stated someone going 25 miles per hour travels 73.3 feet in two seconds and for someone to come to a complete stop in 2.5 seconds is 183 feet. Regan said technology advances the chances of distracted driving and while they cannot stop technology from advancing, they can stop distracted driving.

Rep. Fee asked if there is any data with the reduction in crashes with the 16 states that have created similar laws. Blackistone replied it is difficult to develop data at this point because they adopted the law only a few years ago. He added the National Highway Traffic Administration is looking at it but it is hard to measure a specific measure.

Rep. Heffley asked if technology that limits phone usage or blocks text messages while driving could save lives if it is mandated for youth. Leonard responded there is talk of building this into vehicles and it is something that would be useful. Rep. Heffley questioned how often everything is captured in distracted driving such as using a Garmin. Leonard stated they have done a study where they rated systems based on higher cognitive distractions that he can share.

Rep. Marsico questioned if there are any other states that standout that Pennsylvania should follow. Blackistone explained all of the states have adopted hands free cell phone requirements.

Chairman Taylor inquired how they feel about banning devices that are preferred for navigation. Blackistone recommended that the state ban portable electronic devices unless they are used in the driving task. Leonard added there are some devices that do not work while the car is in motion.

Rep. Kortz asked how they prove when a crash or fatality was the result of a handheld device. Blackistone explained they have the power to subpoena electronic devices in the vehicle to download the usage and create a timeline. Rep. Kortz inquired where they stand on CB usage by truckers and if other states have banned that. Blackistone said he is unaware of states that have banned that.

Rep. Brown inquired if there is any information on how passing a law like this in other states changed behavior of drivers. Blackistone responded that it is seen in a number of areas that the state passing a law sends a message.

Rep. Hennessey requested the testifiers break down their statistics to raw numbers and get back to the committee. He said it would help to see which the most dangerous activity is. Regan commented that studies have shown the longer someone is in a conversation the more distracted they become.

David Kerr, regional vice president for AT&T in Pennsylvania, noted that in 2009 the chairman announced efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. The campaign launched in 2010 and since the launch over 23 million people have pledged to not drive distracted, Kerr said. He stated many celebrities have joined the cause to deliver the message and AT&T's aggressive social media campaign encourages people to share the #ItCanWait message with friends. Kerr explained they have challenged device makers and app developers to work with them and on all Android devices include the AT&T DriveMode, not-texting-while-driving app. AT&T also provided all high schools in the United States with a no-texting-while-driving information kit, Kerr said. He added that in 2015 they expanded the campaign to include other smart phone distractions, and in March 2018 launched a new virtual reality experience to bring the public face-to-face with distracted driving. Kerr encouraged the members to visit itcanwait.com.

Samuel Marshall, Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, said the committee knows that the problem is the use of cell phones. He suggested they make the violations primary and not secondary because it is a danger to other people. Marshall also suggested they let the violation go on the driving record and let insurance companies use technology to

PLS’s Transportation Recap – Copyright 2018 – Pennsylvania Legislative Services – www.mypls.com April 6, 2018 see if people are using their phone while driving. He stated they need to publicize whatever they do and have one clear law that can be put on a billboard. If people know the law and the penalty is clear then people will change their conduct, Marshall argued.

Vince Phillips, Legislative Director, Pennsylvania State Grange, was joined by State Grange President Wayne Campbell. Phillips said a cell phone is a tool just like a car and the use of the tool determines the consequence. He commented when he was driving in Maryland and Virginia the people keeping pace with him felt they could drive erratically once they crossed the Pennsylvania border. Phillips stated something needs to be done to enhance penalties as cell phone usage is a symptom of human nature. He asked the committee to look at the larger issue of what can be done to stop other forms of distracted driving.

Campbell added he has worked 30 years for automobile dealerships and he would like to express concerns about the standardization of controls in vehicles. He stated controls are not in the same location on each vehicle and it would help to get car manufacturers to standardize the setting. Campbell stated he knows the legislators cannot do something about it but they can speak to their colleagues in Washington.

Chairman Taylor commented they do have to get to the point where there is a clear law they can put on a billboard. He suggested banning the entire device is the best solution. Chairman Taylor added tomorrow they will be hearing from critics and supporters on radar, but today it was hard to find people to say this concept is wrong.

Chairman Keller added it was an excellent hearing with a lot of testimony they have to take into consideration. He is happy with Chairman Taylor's support and believes with the support, hearing, and testifiers they can get something done.

The following written testimony was submitted to the committee: • Summaries of distracted driving legislation - 30 -

PA Bulletin

PENNDOT: TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING The Transportation Advisory Committee will hold its quarterly meeting on Thursday, April 12, 2018, from 10 a.m. to noon in Conference Room 8N1, Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg. For more information contact Ellen E. Sweeney, (717) 787-2913, [email protected].

Upcoming Events

House Insurance April 9, 2018 - 11:00 a.m., Room 60, East Wing To consider: SB 630 Reschenthaler, G Act re limited lines travel insurance

House State Government April 10, 2018 - 10:00 a.m., Room G-50, Irvis Office Building Informational meeting and discussion with DGS regarding the program providing state-owned vehicles to members of the General Assembly and: HB 482 Roae, Brad Act re State-owned vehicle assignment

PA State Transportation Advisory Committee April 12, 2018 - 10:00 a.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Room 8N1, 400 North Street, Harrisburg Committee Meeting. For additional information: (717) 787-2913

Pittsburgh Port Authority April 12, 2018 - 6:00 p.m., Rankin Christian Center, 230 Third Ave, Rankin Public meeting on Bus Rapid Transit new service options. For additional information: (412) 566-5137

PA Turnpike Commission April 17, 2018 - 10:00 a.m., Turnpike Admin. Bldg, Large Board Room, 700 S. Eisenhower Blvd., 3rd Fl., Middletown Commission Meeting. For additional information: (717) 831-7333

Delaware River Port Authority/PATCO April 18, 2018 - 9:00 a.m., 2 Riverside Drive, Camden NJ Board Meeting. For additional information: (856) 968-2253

PA Public Utility Commission April 18, 2018 - 1:00 p.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North Street, Harrisburg Smart hearing on UGI Electric rate increase request. For additional information: (717) 783-6152

PA Public Utility Commission April 18, 2018 - 6:00 p.m. Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North Street, Harrisburg Smart hearing on UGI Electric rate increase request. For additional information: (717) 783-6152

Pittsburgh Port Authority April 19, 2018 - 9:00 a.m., Neal N. Holmes Board Room, 5th Floor, 345 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh Performance Oversight Committee Meeting. For additional information: (412) 566-5137

PA Public Utility Commission April 19, 2018 - 10:00 a.m., Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North St., Harrisburg Public Meeting. For additional information: (717) 783-1740

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) Board April 19, 2018 - 12:00 p.m., SEPTA Headquarters, 1234 Market Street, Mezzanine Level, Philadelphia Administration Committee meeting immediately followed by an Operations Committee meeting. For additional information: (215) 580-7800

House Transportation and House Judiciary April 20, 2018 - 10:00 a.m., Philadelphia City Hall, Room 676, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia Joint public hearing to evaluate the effects of DUI and drugged driving laws and programs

Session Schedule Senate April 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 May 21, 22, 23 June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

House April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 30 May 1, 2, 22, 23 June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

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04-04-2018 Norfolk Southern train derails HUNTINGDON — No one was injured and no hazardous materials were spilled when an eastbound Norfolk Southern train traveling from Altoona to Harrisburg derailed along the edge of Standing Stone Creek Tuesday morning. Jonathan Glass, Norfolk Southern public relations manager, said the... - Altoona Mirror

04-04-2018 Distracted driving citations increase in Beaver, Allegheny counties Citations for distracted driving grew by more than 50 percent across Pennsylvania in 2017 and increased in Beaver, Allegheny and Lawrence counties, as well. According to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, statewide distracted-driving citations jumped by 52 percent between 2016 and 2017.... - Beaver County Times

04-04-2018 PennDOT uncoveres a host of items while replacing old spans in the last decade TAYLOR — One man’s trash sometimes touches the heart. In the window of a small storefront on Church Street, a miniature museum of empty glass bottles, stones and other once-buried oddities reveals what contractors unearthed while replacing old Scranton bridges during the last... - Scranton Times

04-04-2018 LCCAP takes over former YDC with big plans The former Youth Development Center in Shenango Township is shedding its former isolation and stands ready to become a community asset. The Lawrence County Community Action Partnership on Monday became the official owner of the 153-acre, 13-building facility in Shenango Township,... - New Castle News

04-04-2018 Cambridge Springs continues to pursue funds to combat impaired driving CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS — Cambridge Springs borough council members continued its practice of applying for funds that enable municipal police departments to combat impaired driving. Council members unanimously approved the 2018-2020 application for the DUI Enforcement Grant Program through the Pennsylvania Department of... - Meadville Tribune

04-04-2018 Residents confront PennDOT on ineffective detours NORTHUMBERLAND — More than 30 borough residents — many of whom reside on Queen Street — attended Tuesday night’s Northumberland Borough council meeting, where they confronted two Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials about how the detours they’ve set up during... - Sunbury Daily Item

04-04-2018 Truck crashes, dumps 49,000 pounds of plastic pellets into Pocono Creek A chain reaction crash spilled almost 49,000 pounds of small blue recycled plastic pellets into Pocono Creek on Saturday. The crash occurred at 9:28 a.m. The pellets are smaller than BB’s. About 75 percent of the load of recycled plastic was lost in the spill, according to Pennsylvania Fish and... - Pocono Record

04-04-2018 Centre eyes lease agreement with wildlife foundation BELLEFONTE — A $1.8 million trails project may be on the horizon for Centre County. At the Tuesday morning meeting of the Centre County Board of Commissioners, a 25-year lease agreement with the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation was discussed. The commissioners will look to review and approve... - Lock Haven Express

04-04-2018 Unclean at Any Speed: Pruitt’s Attack on Obama Auto Pollution Rule Scott Pruitt, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and second only to President Trump in the climate denial game, proposed on Monday revising — which definitely means relaxing and probably means crippling — the ambitious, groundbreaking greenhouse gas and... - New York Times

04-04-2018 For Tesla, ‘Production Hell’ Looks Like the Reality of the Car Business Tesla began producing electric cars at its plant in Fremont, Calif., six years ago, starting with small quantities and ramping up to about 100,000 vehicles last year. Now, as it tries to double or triple that number, the company and its chief executive, Elon Musk, are getting a lesson in how... - New York Times

04-04-2018 Clearfield County Commissioners approve aiding Irvona Borough in finding funding for

Hopkins Street Bridge The Clearfield County board of commissioners is assisting Irvona Borough in finding and securing funding to replace the Hopkins Street bridge. The bridge closed for a time last week because of concerns about the safety and stability of the structure. Hopkins Street is the sole access to... - Clearfield Progress

04-04-2018 Work to begin on Route 6 bridge The bridge crosses Mead Run just west of Youngsville Borough and has been determined to be structurally deficient. Construction is expected to begin during the week of April 16 and wrap up in August, although weather and unforeseen circumstances could alter the... - Warren Times Observer

04-04-2018 Short staffing leads to long waits for Social Security disability hearing decisions Robert Steers of Southington, Conn., was an Army captain who served in Afghanistan. He also served his country looking for contraband with the Transportation Security Administration. Now, he’d like to get decent service from the Social Security Administration.... - Washington Post

04-04-2018 Texting while driving is as dangerous as driving drunk. We need to treat it accordingly Like many pedestrians, I've learned to treat Los Angeles streets as an obstacle course of distracted drivers. Rule No. 1: Make sure a vehicle is stopped or braking before stepping off the curb. But even that didn't save me at a corner near my West Hollywood home.... - Los Angeles Times

04-04-2018 Frontier Airlines to resume service at HIA MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (WHTM) - Frontier Airlines will return to Harrisburg International Airport and begin flying to three destinations this summer. The low-cost carrier will offer service to and from Denver, Orlando, and Raleigh/Durham, according to the airline's website.... - WHTM

04-04-2018 Lt. gov candidate wants no mercy for cop killers Jeff Bartos, the Republican Party-endorsed candidate for lieutenant governor, has adopted a “No Mercy for Cop Killers” platform in response to District Attorney Larry Krasner. “I was shocked and disappointed by reports that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is considering showing mercy to the cowards who shot... - Philadelphia Northeast Times

04-04-2018 Franklin County, Pa. officials talk I-81, tax reform with Sen. Toomey CHAMBERSBURG - The county's infrastructure and improving the Interstate 81 corridor were key topics on the minds of several local officials who attended a roundtable discussion Tuesday morning with U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. The roundtable, which was hosted by the Franklin County Area Development... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

04-04-2018 Allegiant begins flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Charleston Allegiant's seasonal flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to Charleston, S.C., start today and will run through October. It's the first time the airport has had nonstop service to Charleston since 2002, airport officials have said. The ultra-low fare carrier plans to launch year-round service Bradenton,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-04-2018 Frontier Airlines to return to Harrisburg International Airport Frontier Airlines will return to Harrisburg International Airport this summer, and will offer flights to three different destinations. The carrier will offer service to and from Denver, Orlando, and Raleigh. Flights for Denver and Raleigh will begin on July 21, and the flights for... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-04-2018 Port Authority of Allegheny County schedules two Mon Valley meetings to share BRT changes Port Authority of Allegheny County has scheduled two meetings in the Mon Valley to see if new

service options for a proposed Bus Rapid Transit system address rider concerns. The first meeting, which officials announced last month , will take place at 6 p.m. April 12 at the Rankin Christian Center, 230 3rd Ave., Rankin.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-03-2018 Norfolk Southern multi-state safety train tour underway (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Stateline Daily: Pizza, Pad Thai and Pot: Home Delivery of Marijuana Is Legal... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 CCAP: Legislative Bulletin - Number 7, March 30, 2018 (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Wolf Administration Previews 2018 Hollidaysburg-Region Construction Season... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Automated Vehicle Coalition Forms, Promoting Safety, Innovation, and Enhanced... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 The Cullen Law Firm Seeks to Enjoin the PA Turnpike Commission from... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 PennDOT Accepting Unsolicited Public-Private Partnership Proposals Until Apr. 30 (Press Release)

04-03-2018 PennDOT Completes Implementation of Technology Improving Shared-Ride Transit... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Wolf Administration Celebrates 17 Community Development, Infrastructure... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 PennDOT: License, ID Card Holders Can Save Lives Through Organ Donation (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Stateline Daily: More Cities Are Banishing Highways Underground - And... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Weekly Update: Outlining Election Reform, Investing in Infrastructure, and... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Wolf Administration Previews 2018 East Central Region Construction Season... (Press Release)

04-03-2018 Pennsylvania police crack down on distracted driving Pennsylvania police are cracking down on distracted drivers. Citations for offenses including texting while driving and driving while using headphones increased by 52 percent — going from 3,336 in 2016 to 5,045 last year, according to the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-03-2018 House looking at allowing local police to use radar The House Transportation Committee plans to hold a public hearing Wednesday in Harrisburg on allowing local police departments to use radar to catch speeders. State law currently limits radar use to state police. Local police are limited to other devices such as stopwatches or a

laser system known as... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-03-2018 New Kensington to buy, renovate Schreiber Industrial Park After decades of making offers without success, it appears New Kensington finally will buy the Schreiber Industrial Park. Stretching over 66 acres in both New Kensington and Arnold, the park occupies the lion's share of riverfront property within the cities.... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

04-03-2018 Court data show that distracted driving citations continue to climb in Pennsylvania Distracted-driving citations in Pennsylvania shot up dramatically during the five-year period ending in December, according to data released Monday by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. Montgomery County had the most citations issued between 2013 and last year,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-03-2018 Drivers urged to take notice as street-cleaning resumes in Pittsburgh Drivers urged to take notice as street-cleaning resumes in Pittsburgh Pittsburgh public works crews resumed regular street-cleaning schedules Monday after the winter season, Mayor Bill Peduto’s office said. Drivers should check the cleaning schedules on road-side signs in the city,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-03-2018 Groups ask U.S. judge to block Pa. Turnpike Commission from transferring money to PennDOT Two national transportation groups that are seeking $6 billion in refunds from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission are now asking federal judge to block the use of tolls for non-turnpike projects. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the National... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-03-2018 Land case moved to higher court A former Williamsburg-area man who is contesting PennDOT’s right to condemn a small portion of his property for the Canoe Creek intersection project has taken his case to the federal court in Johnstown. Stewart M. Merritts Jr., who resides in Lovettsville, Va., transferred the... - Altoona Mirror

04-03-2018 Reading City Council asks if parking gates at hotel will be working for Berks Jazz Fest City managing director says parking authority is working on problem at garage at DoubleTree by Hilton. - Reading Eagle

04-03-2018 Report: Distracted driving up in Pa. in 2017 Citations for distracted driving increased 52 percent around the state in 2017, while they increased 34 percent in nine counties of Northeast Pennsylvania. In Luzerne County, citations increased 58.5 percent, from 53 in 2016 to 84 in 2017. In Lackawanna County, citations increased 40.7 percent, from 86 to... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

04-03-2018 LCTA gets grant for 4 CNG-fueled buses The Luzerne County Transportation Authority has received a $1.7 million federal grant that will help the authority transition its fleet to the use of compressed natural gas, or CNG. The grant, through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bus & Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment program, will pay for the purchase of... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

04-03-2018 Drivers’ focus should be on driving There aren’t many text messages that can’t wait, making it all the more tragic that texting-while- driving — an activity that researchers at Virginia Tech University have found to be more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol — is a growing cause of crashes,... - Scranton Times

04-03-2018 April snowstorm comes on the heels of cold and snowy March Monday’s storm that dropped a few inches of snow on the Scranton area came on the heels of an unusually cold and snowy March. However, April snow clouds have a silver lining. “They disappear pretty quickly,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said. “(Monday’s) snow is no exception.”... - Scranton Times

04-03-2018 Scranton council expresses concern about 7th Ave. location of proposed Sheetz SCRANTON — City council expressed concern Monday that a proposed Sheetz gas station/store near Scranton High School would increase traffic jams in that area and make it more difficult for pedestrians to cross streets. On Wednesday, the Scranton Planning Commission reviewed preliminary plans... - Scranton Times

04-03-2018 PennDOT plans $360 million of road work in six-county region As the winter weather gives way — one would hope — to spring, road crews across the extended Lehigh Valley region expect to tackle 115 PennDOT projects this year. Many of these will sound familiar, especially the big ones: revamping the Route 22 Fullerton exit and replacing the adjacent Lehigh River bridge;... - Allentown Morning Call

04-03-2018 $300,000 lottery ticket sold in Cressona CRESSONA — A very lucky lottery player had a dream come true when he rubbed off a $300,000 ticket on Monday at the shop where he regularly buys tickets in the Cressona Mall. Sam’s Place Lottery and Tobacco Inc. sold the winning ticket Monday morning to the unidentified player. In recent months, the shop has had a... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

04-03-2018 Editorial: It’s time to get real on infrastructure plan President Donald Trump’s speech in Ohio last week – in a town called Richfield, halfway between Cleveland and Akron – keeps alive his idea for a $1.5 trillion national infrastructure rebuilding plan. But only the idea. People in Ohio’s and Pennsylvania’s depressed cities and towns need... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

04-03-2018 Sunoco offers to relocate residents affected by pipeline construction WEST WHITELAND >> Sunoco Pipeline has offered to foot the bill for housing, along with an offer to pay a per diem reimbursement for food, for Lisa Drive area residents impacted by pipeline construction. Sunoco wrote in a March 30 letter to residents that it “is preparing to... - West Chester Daily Local News

04-03-2018 Pipeline builder faulted for unauthorized form of drilling, spill The builders of the Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline have received a notice of violation from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for using an unauthorized drilling method when placing the pipe underneath Interstate 81 in Lebanon County.... - Lebanon Daily News

04-03-2018 When will Pa. get them? Don't expect to whip out your smartphone to show your driver's license to a police officer anytime soon. More than a dozen states, including Delaware, are testing out putting driver's licenses on smartphones. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation anticipates offering a pilot program in the future, but... - York Daily

04-03-2018 Home Delivery of Marijuana Is Legal in These States It’s been legal to buy small amounts of marijuana in Colorado for over four years. But consumers can’t order bud, edibles or the marijuana concentrate called “shatter” through the mail — that’s illegal under federal law. And they can’t have weed delivered to their... - Stateline.org

04-03-2018 More Cities Are Banishing Highways Underground — And Building Parks on Top

The most popular place to put a city park is, increasingly, on a highway. Cities looking to boost their downtowns, or to improve downtrodden neighborhoods, are creating “highway cap parks” on decks constructed over freeways that cut through the urban center. Pittsburgh,... - Stateline.org

04-03-2018 Calling Car Pollution Standards ‘Too High,’ E.P.A. Sets Up Fight With California The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday took steps to challenge California’s decades- old right to set its own air pollution rules, setting up a showdown between the federal government and a state that has emerged as a bulwark against the Trump administration’s policies.... - New York Times

04-03-2018 Tesla may have violated federal rules by releasing information about fatal California crash Tesla may have run afoul of federal rules governing safety investigations when it released information over the weekend about a fatal crash involving one of its Model X SUVs in California last month. The release of investigative information was the latest instance of Silicon... - Washington Post

04-03-2018 Pa. drivers can save lives through organ donation HARRISBURG – In conjunction with the national observance of Donate Life Month in April, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is advising Pennsylvania residents that driver’s license and identification card holders can easily help another person live a fuller, longer life by... - Lewistown Sentinel

04-03-2018 County to secure grant funding for Rail Trail LOCK HAVEN — Thanks to a possible state grant, Clinton County may see progress on the Rail Trail bridge between Wayne Township and Pine Creek Township. County Commissioners will approve a resolution on Thursday backing a grant application to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources... - Lock Haven Express

04-03-2018 State Grant Could Help Fund Intersection Reconstruction With a number of plans in the works for development of land near the intersection of Bernel Road and Fox Hill Road, Patton Township officials are looking to reconstruct the intersection to address anticipated traffic impacts. A grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation could go a long... - State College News

04-03-2018 Trib Tuesday take: Not-so-free riders Police say at least two people so far this year learned the hard way that faking a medical condition to catch a quick ambulance ride into Greensburg is an expensive trip to justice. On March 20, Leeann N. Armstrong, 25, called for an ambulance ride from Latrobe to Excela Health Westmoreland... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-03-2018 Alle-Kiski Tuesday take: A long haul to improve route's safety Oftentimes new road and bridge construction seems to get the lion's share of attention while improving existing thoroughfares, when safety concerns are raised, tends to get, well, less attention. By some residents' accounts, it's taken 15 years, maybe longer, to address a dangerous steep... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-03-2018 How Amazon can use Whole Foods to help weather postal rate hikes In recent tweets, President Trump has urged the U.S. Postal Service to charge Amazon.com Inc. more to deliver packages to consumers — a potentially costly blow since the e-commerce giant uses the federal agency for an estimated 40 percent of deliveries. Reducing Amazon’s reliance on the USPS wouldn’t be simple — and... - Philadelphia Inquirer

04-03-2018 5 freight cars derail in Pennsylvania; Amtrak disrupted

Five cars in a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed Tuesday alongside a creek in central Pennsylvania, spilling debris into a waterway and disrupting travel on Amtrak... - AP

04-03-2018 Train derailment: Cleanup could take days, repairs could take months Crews could have their hands full over the next few days as crews clean up the mess resulting from a train derailment in Huntingdon. The derailment of five eastbound cars happened at approximately 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jonathan Glass of Norfolk Southern confirmed.... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-03-2018 5 freight cars derail in Pennsylvania; Amtrak disrupted Five cars in a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed Tuesday alongside a creek in central Pennsylvania, spilling debris into a waterway and disrupting travel on Amtrak... - AP

04-02-2018 Drivers hit with higher gas prices at the pump Gas prices are on the way up in the Pittsburgh area. Average retail gas prices have increased 6.7 cents per gallon in the past week, to an average of $2.87 per gallon, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 731 Pittsburgh gas outlets. That's 22-cents higher than the national average of $2.65 per gallon, which... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

04-02-2018 Get real on infrastructure: The Trump plan remains far from a serious effort Get real on infrastructure: The Trump plan remains far from a serious effort President Donald Trump’s speech in Ohio last week — in a town called Richfield, halfway between Cleveland and Akron — keeps alive his idea for a $1.5 trillion national infrastructure rebuilding plan. But only... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-02-2018 A high-altitude bonus: Unclear reasons for airport CEO’s hefty payday A high-altitude bonus: Unclear reasons for airport CEO’s hefty payday The board of the Allegheny County Airport Authority abdicated its duty by allowing one member — the chairman, David Minnotte — to determine the size of a performance bonus awarded to CEO Christina Cassotis:... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-02-2018 Trolley tours return to Pittsburgh as new service launches to fill a void Two visitors from Boston and four from Cleveland Saturday climbed aboard the brand-spanking gleaming white Pittsburgh Trolley Works tour bus that made its first rounds this weekend from Southside Works. The fleet of trolley buses is an expansion of the Pittsburgh Tour Co.,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

04-02-2018 NTSB ‘unhappy’ with Tesla release of investigative information in fatal crash Federal investigators said Sunday they were “unhappy” that Tesla had released information related to a fatal crash involving one of its Model X vehicles late last month. Tesla announced late Friday that the Tesla Model X had its semiautonomous “Autopilot” mode activated moments before it slammed into a highway... - Washington Post

04-02-2018 Thanks PennDOT for your hard work this winter | PennLive Letters The recent Nor'Easter brought 10-plus inches of heavy snow to Central Pa. I've always enjoyed the snowy white landscape. While I'm inconvenienced having to shovel lots of snow, I marvel at how snow highlights the landscape and makes evenings eerily quiet. It's one of the many seasonal... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

04-02-2018 Our view: Erie region must speak with 1 voice It’s a sizable list with a major cumulative price tag. Erie County agencies and organizations have applied for state capital funding for 21 projects with a total cost of $87.3 million. Not all of them will be funded under the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, or RCAP. The Erie region’s wish list is in... - Erie Times-News

04-02-2018 County councilman wants voters to decide on vehicle registration fee Luzerne County Councilman Edward Brominski said he has obtained negative feedback about a proposed $5 vehicle registration fee from more than 100 people in recent days through emails, phone calls and in-person conversations. A handful of others were amenable to the fee, but he learned through... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

04-02-2018 Solar power could be headed to Hazleton industrial park HAZLETON — Solar power could be running lights after the sun goes down in the Humboldt Industrial Park in the near future. Greg Kurtz, operations director for CAN DO Inc., said the industrial and economic development organization is seeking a grant to create a solar... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

04-02-2018 Mom of crash victim still speaking out against distracted driving In the eight years since her son died in a crash caused by a distracted driver, Eileen Woelkers Miller has become a ceaseless warrior in the fight for better highway safety laws. She’ll join the battle again this week in Harrisburg. On Tuesday, the Scranton woman will speak before the state House... - Scranton Times

04-02-2018 You’re in for a rough ride: The area's most fearsome potholes The beast chews up rubber tires, spits out wheel lugs and uses your alignment as a toothpick. Stretches of the road, in the vicinity of the Lackawanna County Recycling Center and Green Ridge Health Care Center, earned top dishonor in the Sunday Times’ inaugural Slammies, awarded to the most disgraceful,... - Scranton Times

03-30-2018 Philly needs a Heimlich maneuver for its choked streets Is the city starting to choke on its success? That might not be the obvious conclusion from a recent report that SEPTA’s bus ridership has declined by 10 percent – one of the largest declines in the country, based on federal data. That loss represents a whopping 18 million fewer bus trips than the year before.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

03-30-2018 PennDOT scraps proposal to narrow Route 8 in Venango County FRANKLIN — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has curbed a proposal to downsize a section of Route 8 in Venango County to two lanes from four. Department officials announced Wednesday that its ongoing study on ways to improve the aging road will focus only on four-lane options.... - Erie Times-News

03-30-2018 EMTA to host public hearings on long-term plan Two meetings on April 5 will seek citizen input on ways to improve public transportation as part of a federally-required long range plan. The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority will host two public meetings on April 5 to get citizen input on ways to improve public transportation in... - Erie Times-News

03-30-2018 Trump officials prepare to undo fuel-efficiency targets despite some automakers’ misgivings Top Trump administration officials are engaged in a heated debate over how to undo federal fuel-efficiency targets for cars and light trucks, as manufacturers voice concern that a major rollback of an Obama-era rule could go too far and fracture the nation’s auto market.... - Washington Post

03-30-2018 The Self-Driving Car Industry’s Biggest Turning Point Yet One perk — or hazard, I suppose — of being a technology writer for the past few years has been getting invited to ride in a bunch of autonomous vehicles. I’ve been shuttled around in nearly a dozen self-driving prototypes, including a Ford in Michigan, an Uber in... - New York Times

03-30-2018 Federal lawmakers question Maryland Gov. Hogan on Hyperloop permit Five members of Maryland’s congressional delegation are pressing Gov. Larry Hogan to provide more information about the high-speed transit system called Hyperloop that entrepreneur Elon Musk wants to build between Baltimore and Washington. Maryland officials in October granted permission for Musk’s company,... - Baltimore Sun

03-30-2018 President Trump talks infrastructure, 'Roseanne' in Ohio RICHFIELD, Ohio — In a nearly hourlong speech, President Donald Trump talked about everything from his planned border wall with Mexico to the TV ratings success of the “Roseanne” reboot. In between, and along the way Thursday afternoon, he touted the virtues of... - Columbus Dispatch

03-30-2018 New Jersey Transit Tries Again to Buy Hoboken Waterfront Site Two months after yielding to protests from Hoboken residents, New Jersey Transit is reviving the idea of buying a piece of the city’s waterfront from a ferry company that wants to fix and fuel its boats there. The statewide transit agency, which owns fleets of trains and buses but no... - New York Times

03-30-2018 Commissioners continue effort to retain Berks Heim ownership READING, Pa. - As the Berks County commissioners continue to look into the Medicaid reimbursement rates for Pennsylvania's county-owned nursing homes, they're finding a system that is more complicated and convoluted than they realized. At Thursday's meeting, Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach said he recently... - WFMZ

03-29-2018 PHIA: Recent Projects Illustrate Importance of Act 89 (Press Release)

03-29-2018 PA GOP Statement: American Citizenship Has Become Meaningless to the... (Press Release)

03-29-2018 FirstEnergy Solutions Files Deactivation Notice for Three Competitive Nuclear... (Press Release)

03-29-2018 Lawsuit says Pittsburgh International Airport escalator malfunction caused knee fracture A Pittsburgh man is suing the Allegheny County Airport Authority because he said he fractured his knee getting off a malfunctioning escalator at Pittsburgh International Airport in November. According to the complaint, filed this month in the Court of Common Pleas... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

03-29-2018 Trib editorial: Learn from Uber's pedestrian fatality Uber sensibly put its real-world testing of self-driving cars on hold after one fatally struck a woman walking her bike across a Tempe, Ariz., street on March 18. Unquestionably a tragedy, that's believed to be the first pedestrian fatality involving an autonomous vehicle.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

03-29-2018 Sinking Spring officials to speak with BARTA about options for transportation hub They want the borough's downtown to be transit-oriented. - Reading Eagle

03-29-2018 Shell gets $3.8 million from state for railroad enhancements Shell Chemicals has received nearly $4 million from the state to help the company perform improvements to a 10-mile stretch of railroad track between Aliquippa and Potter Township. The money came from the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program through the state Legislature.... - Beaver County Times

03-29-2018 Lancaster County rail-freight line to share in $630,000 state grant East Penn Railroad was approved for a $630,000 state grant on Tuesday to help fund the rehabilitation of track in Lancaster, Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties. The project, with a total cost of $900,000, will improve 12 miles of freight line track between Ephrata and Sinking Spring, and 11 miles of... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

03-29-2018 New traffic patterns begin on westbound Route 283 in Dauphin County during reconstruction project New westbound traffic patterns began Monday during the Route 283 reconstruction project in Dauphin County. The work is part of the $89.4 million project that began last spring to rebuild six miles of Route 283 as well as the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Union Street and Vine Street interchanges.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

03-29-2018 Contractor: Work to repair, replace 31 Lancaster County structurally deficient bridges will be done by end of 2018 The last of 31 Lancaster County structurally deficient bridges slated for repairs or replacement by the end of 2018 should be completed on time, according to the contractor doing the work. The work is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Rapid... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

03-29-2018 Work on bridge resumes Monday Contractors with Joseph B. Fay of Tarentum will resume construction on the Moxham Stonycreek Bridge replacement project in Johnstown on Monday, according to PennDOT. Work this season will consist of demolition and rebuilding of the upstream portion of the bridge, which carries Route 403 over the Stonycreek River.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

03-29-2018 W. Middlesex viaduct project begins Monday WEST MIDDLESEX – Motorists get ready, the West Middlesex viaduct project will begin on Monday. At an informal meeting Wednesday morning at the West Middlesex fire hall, representatives from the borough, contractors, West Middlesex Area School District, PennDOT and citizens gathered to hear final plans to replace the... - Sharon Herald

03-29-2018 15 deaths a day is horrifying, but that might be undercounting the opioid death toll HARRISBURG – Everyone knows the state’s opioid crisis is bad. But how bad? Inconsistent reporting makes that a frustrating unknown. Republican state Sen. Gene Yaw, of Lycoming County, wants Pennsylvania to fix that. He has proposed legislation that would require more uniform... - Meadville Tribune

03-29-2018 Trump emerging from seclusion to promote infrastructure plan WASHINGTON >> Attempting a policy reset, President Donald Trump will push for upgrades to the nation’s aging roads and bridges Thursday in his first public appearance since an adult-film actress claimed on national TV that they had sex months after his wife gave birth to his fifth child... - AP

03-29-2018 Rail freight improvements coming to Coatesville Coatesville >> State Sen. Andy Dinniman announced Wednesday that nearly $650,000 in total state funding has been approved for two major rail freight improvement projects at the Arcelor Mittal steel plant in Coatesville. “Investments in our rail freight network create opportunities for... - West Chester Daily Local News

03-29-2018 Zerbe speed limit study approved by PennDOT TREVORTON — On March 20, Zerbe Township Police Chief Michael Kreischer received a letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), informing him of its approval of the township’s request for a speed limit study to be conducted along State Route 225 from Miller Hill... - Shamokin News-Item

03-29-2018 Major question mark as plans move ahead for Bethlehem garage The Bethlehem Parking Authority is forging ahead with plans for a new South Side parking garage, although it still doesn't own the land needed to build the deck. The 585-space parking deck is crucial for Northampton Community College, which plans to lease 225 spaces, and the ongoing redevelopment of East... - Easton Express-Times

03-29-2018 Trump officials prepare to undo fuel-efficiency targets despite some automakers’ misgivings debate over how to undo federal fuel-efficiency targets for cars and light trucks, as manufacturers voice concern that a major rollback of an Obama-era rule could go too far and fracture the nation’s auto market. The internal negotiations over relaxing carbon-emission limits for cars and... - Washington Post

03-29-2018 Distracted driving getting worse; laws being ignored The latest AAA Foundation survey shows a growing concern among motorists in Delaware and the rest of the nation when it comes to distracted driving. Although most drivers recognize the dangers created by taking your eyes off the road, they engage in distracting behaviors anyway, the survey showed.... - Wilmington News Journal

03-29-2018 Trump officials prepare to undo fuel-efficiency targets despite some automakers’ misgivings Top Trump administration officials are engaged in a heated debate over how to undo federal fuel-efficiency targets for cars and light trucks, as manufacturers voice concern that a major rollback of an Obama-era rule could go too far and fracture the nation’s auto market.... - Washington Post

03-29-2018 Two Airport Authority members resign City Council accepted a pair of resignations from the Airport Authority, Tuesday, adding another twist to the debate between the two entities. Former-Councilman Jeff Thomas resigned from his appointment to the Authority, while Keith Bromley, who was serving on both Council and the... - Titusville Herald

03-29-2018 OneJet begins flights between Pittsburgh International Airport, West Palm Beach Flights from Pittsburgh International Airport to West Palm Beach launched Thursday on startup carrier OneJet. The flights, originally set to launch March 7 , will be available four times a week — on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays — according to OneJet.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

03-29-2018 Marathon organizer adds 150-mile relay in Great Allegheny Passage to its race roster Pittsburgh runners have another race to train for this fall. Only this one will require an entire team to get to the finish. P3R, the nonprofit that runs the Pittsburgh marathon, today announced that it is adding a trail relay to its roster of races. It will traverse more... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-29-2018 United expanding its service from Pittsburgh to San Francisco For the second time this year, United Airlines is beefing up its service to San Francisco from Pittsburgh International Airport. One nonstop flight that has been operating about 10 months out of the year now will be year round. In addition, a new seasonal flight to start June 7 from the Findlay airport... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-29-2018 Philly's Pine-in-the-sky plan to flip bike lanes You have to wonder if they know what they hell they are doing. The people riding herd on bicycle lanes, I mean, who want to switch them from the right side of the street to the left on Pine and on Spruce. I guess when you are progressive you want everything to be left.... - Philadelphia Daily News

03-29-2018 How Philly start-up RoundTrip helps ease a huge health problem: Getting a ride to the doctor In health care, innovation has transformed so much that was once a painful, protracted experience. Brain surgery can now be done with beams of radiation instead of knives. Some colonoscopies with the swallow of a vitamin-size, camera-enhanced capsule. Knee replacement without slicing the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

03-29-2018 United Airlines expands service from Pittsburgh International Airport to San Francisco Pittsburgh International Airport will soon offer more service to San Francisco. United Airlines is expanding its 10-month service to year-round, according to an airport news release. The carrier is also extending its second daily seasonal flight to run from June 7 through Oct. 3 instead of ending Aug.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review