MINUTES OF THE
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Sixty-seventh Session
May 6, 1993
The Senate Committee on Transportation was called to order by Chairman William R. O'Donnell, at 1:37 p.m., on Thursday, May 6, 1993, in Room 226 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman
Senator Lawrence E. Jacobsen, Vice Chairman
Senator Mark A. James
Senator Leonard V. Nevin
Senator Joseph M. Neal, Jr.
Senator Lori L. Brown
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Thomas J. Hickey (Excused)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Paul Mouritsen, Senior Research Analyst
Terri Jo Wittenberg, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ralph W. Juvinall, Government Account Manager, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation
Steven E. Poss, Senior Market Development, Administrator, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation
Mark W. Burch, Sales Specialist, Optical Lighting Film, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation
Garth F. Dull, Director, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT)
Rodney E. Amundson, State Government, Market Development Supervisor, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation
Chairman O'Donnell opened the hearing with a presentation from the 3M Corporation on road striping techniques and materials.
Ralph W. Juvinall, Government Account Manager, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation, opened the presentation and introduced the next speaker.
Steven E. Poss, Senior Market Development, Administrator, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation, gave an overview of a new license plate manufacturing process. Mr. Poss explained the current process that Nevada uses and then explained their new process which will be available, widespread, in about 1 year.
Mr. Poss said the new system would result in a flat license plate, with any information necessary. He added, the state of New York was currently looking into using this system. Mr. Poss continued that the state of Rhode Island is currently participating in a field test of the license plates. He added, they are working on a process that would allow them to affix a computer chip to the license plate which could contain all kinds of information such as, the vehicle identification and the driver's name.
Senator Nevin asked how long the reflective quality lasted on the new license plate.
Mr. Poss replied, it is the same as the license plates used today, which last about 5 years.
Mark W. Burch, Sales Specialist, Optical Lighting Film, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation, presented a slide show and discussed various materials used to make pavement marking materials. He also gave the committee members a packet of information (Exhibit C. The original is in the Research Library.) He showed slides which demonstrated the difference between three different pavement marking methods. He also used a video tape to demonstrate the differences in pavement marking materials.
Senator Nevin asked if the new materials would reduce the costs to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT).
Garth F. Dull, Director, Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), replied the new material was very expensive but the NDOT was looking into it.
Mr. Juvinall wanted the committee to note that they were not here to sell anything and this was an, informational only, presentation.
Senator Brown asked if there was any data showing if accidents had been reduced in areas which are using the newer striping materials.
Mr. Dull said the NDOT had not been using the new materials long enough to evaluate the accident rates. He added, they did expect the accident rates to be reduced due to the increased reflectiveness of the new materials.
Rodney E. Amundson, State Government, Market Development Supervisor, 3M Traffic Control Materials Division, 3M Corporation, discussed the new materials used in the making of road signs. He presented a slide presentation showing the different sign materials.
Mr. Burch presented a packet of information on the Lighted Guidance Tube (Exhibit D. The original is in the Research Library.) Mr. Burch also played a video on the system.
Chairman O'Donnell asked how expensive the system was.
Mr. Burch said a 2000 foot system would cost approximately $35,000.
Chairman O'Donnell asked Mr. Dull if the cost of the system would offset the liability exposure to the state.
Mr. Dull said there were some advantages to the system and that this was first time he had seen this presentation.
Senator Nevin pointed out that the system was reusable and portable.
Mr. Burch continued with a demonstration which showed how the Lighted Guidance System looked and worked.
Chairman O'Donnell asked how the renewal sticker would be attached to the new license plate.
Mr. Juvinall replied that they, and no one else recommends the stacking up of the renewal stickers, however, the plate could be printed with the month and year on the plate or a well could be pressed into the plate. Mr. Juvinall also said there had been other states which have suggested having five pockets along the bottom of the license plate which would allow for five renewals, after which the license plate loses it's reflectivity and should then be replaced.
Chairman O'Donnell thanked the gentlemen from 3M Corporation for their informative presentation.
Chairman O'Donnell then drew attention to a bill draft request (BDR) requiring committee introduction. He passed out copies of the BDR for review and proceeded to read the summary:
BDR 43-673:Authorize issuance of collegiate license plates.
SENATOR JAMES MOVED FOR COMMITTEE INTRODUCTION OF BDR 43-673.
SENATOR NEVIN SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (SENATOR HICKEY WAS ABSENT FOR THE VOTE.)
There being no further business before the committee, Chairman O'Donnell adjourned the meeting at 2:32 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Terri Jo Wittenberg,
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator William R. O'Donnell, Chairman
DATE:
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Senate Committee on Transportation
May 6, 1993
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