THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

107

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1
   

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY AND EVALUATE CURRENT COUNTY OF HAWAII TRAFFIC PLANS TO ENSURE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE HAWAII STATE PLANNING ACT FOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ARE MET AND TO PREPARE A TRAFFIC SOLUTION PLAN FOR THE COUNTY.

 

WHEREAS, unprecedented rates of population growth throughout the state are overwhelming transportation infrastructures, thereby affecting the quality of life and seriously impacting highway safety; and

WHEREAS, existing roads and highways were planned and constructed for much fewer numbers of vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the Five Mountains North Hawaii Motor Vehicle Fatality Research Project (Project), working with the Department of Health (DOH), confirmed a significantly higher rate of fatal vehicle crashes from 1996 to 2002 in the County of Hawaii (County), compared to rates in all other counties; and

WHEREAS, the Project found that within the County, the rate of motor vehicle-related deaths is highest in Hamakua, Ka'u, and South Kona, while the number of motor vehicle-related deaths is highest in Puna and South Kona, areas with the most rapid population growth and the highest impact on highways; and

WHEREAS, in June 2004, the Project presented a set of recommendations to the County, requesting that the County and the State identify county vehicle fatalities and injuries as a priority issue requiring additional resources, and collaborate to improve data collection; and

WHEREAS, section 226-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), provides objectives and policies for transportation, including:

(1) Achieving a statewide transportation system that is consistent with and will accommodate planned growth objectives throughout the state;

(2) Encouraging a reasonable distribution of financial responsibilities for transportation among participating governmental and private parties;

(3) Encouraging transportation systems that serve to accommodate present and future development needs of communities;

(4) Encouraging the development of transportation systems and programs that would assist statewide economic growth and diversification; and

(5) Coordinating intergovernmental land use and transportation planning activities to ensure the timely delivery of supporting transportation infrastructure to accommodate planned growth objectives;

and

WHEREAS, section 226-53, HRS, requires the Office of Planning to provide recommendations to the Governor and state and county agencies on conflicts between and among state transportation planning policies and county general plans and development plans; and

WHEREAS, section 26-19, HRS, requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to plan, develop, promote, and coordinate various transportation system management programs; and

WHEREAS, the logical and prudent course of action to alleviate existing and future traffic problems is to study and evaluate existing traffic conditions in the state, compare the data with current and projected population data, and develop a comprehensive traffic solution plan; and

WHEREAS, DOT, the Office of Planning, and the County should collaborate to preparae county transportation plans and coordinate efforts to implement those plans; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Transportation is requested to:

(1) Study and evaluate existing traffic conditions in the County, in consultation with the Hawaii County Department of Public Works, and prepare a traffic solution plan for the County to minimize existing and future traffic problems; and

(2) Review and make recommendations on the current County transportation plan to ensure its conformity with state planning policies and objectives;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Planning and the County assist DOT in the study and evaluation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to report to the Legislature its interim findings and recommendations, including an estimate of projected costs to complete the study for inclusion in an appropriations measure for the Regular Session of 2006, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2006, and a final report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, Director of the Office of Planning, and Mayor and County Council Chair of Hawaii County.

Report Title:

Transportation Planning