HB5795 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 16660 AXK 40998 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB5795

Introduced , by Rep. Charles E. Meier

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Solar Powered Road Signs Pilot Program Act. Requires the Department of Transportation to develop a pilot program to test the use of solar powered LED road signs in 5 counties of varied population. After getting reports of the program from the counties, the Department shall file a report with the General Assembly that contains the complete findings of the program. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Solar Powered Road Signs Pilot Program Act.

Section 5. Solar Powered Road Signs.

(a) Six months after the effective date of this Act, the Department of Transportation shall, subject to appropriation, develop a program to test the use of solar powered LED road signs on roadways. After consultation with counties, the Department shall choose 5 counties of varied population that have consented to participate in the program.

(b) In implementing the program, the Department shall use its own discretion in selecting and purchasing the necessary resources for the road signs.

(c) The selected counties shall have the discretion to choose which roadways shall be equipped with the solar powered technology, subject to these conditions:

(1) the roadways shall not be State highways, federal highways, or within an incorporated area;

(2) the roadways shall have road signs of particularly low visibility; and

(3) each county must follow the specifications delineated in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(d) After a period of at least 90 days from the start of the program, each county shall report its findings of the program to the Department. After receiving reports from each county, the Department shall file a report within 60 days with the General Assembly. The report shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) the overall function of the solar powered LED road signs;

(2) the benefits to the State of having solar powered LED road signs;

(3) any safety concerns to the general public while the signs were in use; and

(4) the projected cost for Statewide use of the signs.

Section 10. Repeal. This Act is repealed on December 31, 2018.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.