Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), also known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, increases funding for California’s world-class transportation network by an average of $5 billion annually, and specifies that the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) implement efficiency measures with the goal of generating $100 million in annual savings to be invested into the State Highway System.

In general, efficiencies are new tools, materials, technologies, and processes that produce a cost savings or cost avoidance.

Efficiency savings claimed in this report occurred in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, unless otherwise noted. Efficiencies in this report are considered a cost savings or avoidance and are available for reinvestment into the State Highway System.

“Caltrans will consider efficiencies that result in cost avoidance or a reduction in support or capital costs.” - Caltrans Financial Policy Board definition of efficiencies

SB 1 Legislation (Beall, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) states, “The department shall implement efficiency measures with the goal to generate at least one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in savings to invest in maintenance and rehabilitation of the State Highway System. These savings shall be reported to the commission.”

In addition, the law states, “To the extent possible and cost effective, and where feasible, the department and cities and counties receiving funds under the program shall use advanced technologies and material recycling techniques that reduce the cost of maintaining and rehabilitating the streets and highways, and that exhibit reduced levels of greenhouse gas emissions through material choice and construction method.”

Caltrans has implemented strategies to prolong the lifespan of infrastructure while reducing maintenance costs and interruptions of service to the traveling public. There are several examples of this throughout the report.