Bill > HB181

This bill expands the New Hampshire Department of Transportation's (DOT) responsibilities to include maintaining traffic signal preemption technology systems, specifically the Opticom traffic control system used by emergency vehicles on state roads. The bill amends existing state law to explicitly include maintenance of these systems, which help emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulances quickly and safely pass through intersections by triggering traffic signal changes. The legislation appropriates a nominal $1 for fiscal year 2025 and requires the DOT to include maintenance funding in its future biennial budget requests. The DOT estimates significant initial costs of approximately $419,000 in fiscal year 2026, decreasing to $257,000 by fiscal year 2028, which will cover system restoration, annual equipment replacement, additional staff (two technicians), and a new maintenance vehicle. The bill specifies that emergency services agencies will remain responsible for vehicle-mounted emitters, while the DOT will focus on the fixed infrastructure components. The new maintenance responsibilities will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aim to ensure consistent and functional emergency vehicle traffic signal preemption across the state's 435 signalized intersections.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_status.aspx?lsr=0163&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB181