Bill > HR4904

This bill aims to improve pedestrian safety through multiple initiatives involving the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Transportation (DOT). The bill requires NIST to develop innovative technologies for traffic control devices that can help protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users, while ensuring these technologies do not distract vehicle operators. The DOT is mandated to conduct a comprehensive study analyzing urban areas with high pedestrian fatality rates, examining physical alternatives to reduce vehicle crashes, and investigating the effectiveness of intelligent speed assistance and blind spot detection systems. Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program providing $5 million annually to cities, Indian Tribes, and municipalities for implementing pedestrian safety infrastructure. These infrastructure improvements can include innovative crosswalk technologies, expanded buffer zones, accessible pedestrian signals, increased lighting, improved sidewalks, upgraded traffic signals, and marked crosswalks. To receive a grant, applicants must submit an application meeting the Secretary of Transportation's requirements, and all infrastructure must comply with federal regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The DOT is also required to brief Congress on the study's results within two years of the Act's enactment.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4904/all-info