“A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to allow States to use highway safety funds for work zone safety initiatives, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a new work zone safety program under the Highway Safety Program (23 U.S.C. 402), which provides formula grants to states for highway safety activities designed to reduce traffic crashes, deaths, injuries, and property damage. Subject to an approved triennial highway safety plan, states may use a portion of such grant funds for specified work zone safety activities, including (1) grants, overtime, equipment, and support for law enforcement high-visibility enforcement and patrols; (2) work zone modules for driver education, licensing exams, and trainings; (3) work zone alerting and intrusion-mitigation technologies (e.g., portable message signs, radar speed trailers, queue detection, connected-vehicle alerts, intrusion sensors), including pilots; (4) training and certification for flaggers, inspectors, and construction personnel; and (5) data collection, countermeasure evaluation, and independent program assessments. States must prioritize assistance to Tribal governments and rural areas in these activities. This section also directs the Government Accountability Office to complete a study on the effectiveness of work zone safety programs, including the new program, and submit a report to Congress not later than two years after enactment.