Kern Motorist Aid Authority

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Kern Motorist Aid Authority

• Services And Operations

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Legal Authority

• California Streets and Highways Code section 2550
  et. Seq.
• CHP/Caltrans Call Box and Motorist Aid Guidelines
• Local policy and direction

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The Players

• Local SAFE Agency (Kern COG)
• Caltrans
• California Highway Patrol
• Cellular service provider (A T T)
• Hardware manufacturer (Comarco)
• Hardware maintenance service provider (Comarco)
• Call answer service provider (CHP)

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Mission Statement

• To provide a dependable motorist aid
  communication system to areas of the county not
  heavily patrolled and where traditional
  communication services do not exist.

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Mission Statement

• To provide a reliable motorist aid communication
  system that is well maintained with failures
  repaired within 24 hours.

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Mission Statement

• To provide a high level of assurance that a
  motorists call for assistance will receive a
  response.

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Mission Statement

• To provide a public information program to ensure
  that the motorist understands what the call boxes
  are and how the call boxes are to be used.

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Network Map
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Call Volume Trends
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Revenues
Source 1 vehicle registration fee and interest
on cash balances
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Expenses
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General Observations

• Network total of 557 call boxes over 793 road
  miles
• Spacing is 1 mile in urban areas and 2 miles in
  rural areas
• Average annual total operating cost is 1,070 per
  box
• Average monthly cellular cost 8.50 per box
• Average annual maintenance cost is 300 per box
• Average capital cost is approx. 3,500 per box
• All state and interstate routes served. One(1)
  county commuter route served.

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Current Major Issues

• Decline in total annual calls and reorientation
  of service priorities
• Conversion of cellular hardware from analog to
  digital technology
• ADA accessibility
• Hardware safety and crash testing
• Privatization of call answering

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Additional Services

• Changeable message signs
• Lighting for call boxes
• Support for traffic operations centers
• Contracting for the removal of disabled vehicles
• Acquisition of traffic safety equipment
• Service on county roads
• Support for traveler information systems

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Questions and Answers