H.R. 2778 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2778 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 6, 2017Mr. Cárdenas (for himself and Mr. Duncan of Tennessee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Less Traffic with Smart Stop Lights Act of 2017. 2. Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program (a) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program (in this section referred to as the Program) to improve the functioning of traffic signals in a manner that— (1) reduces traffic congestion; (2) improves the safety and effectiveness of roadways; (3) reduces fuel costs for drivers; and (4) reduces air pollution. (b) Grant authority In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may make grants, on a competitive basis, to a State, local, or Tribal government entity. (c) Grant uses An entity awarded a grant under the Program shall use the grant to improve traffic signals through the implementation of innovative technology, including— (1) adaptive signal control technology; and (2) real-time data measurement technology. (d) Timing A grant awarded to an entity under the Program shall be fully expended not later than the date that is 3 years after the date on which initial grant amounts are made available to the entity. (e) Federal share (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share of the costs of a project assisted with a grant under the Program may not exceed 80 percent. (2) Exception The Secretary may waive paragraph (1) if a State, local, or Tribal government entity demonstrates, as determined by the Secretary, extreme financial hardship. (3) In-kind contributions The non-Federal share of the costs of a project assisted with a grant under the Program may be derived in whole or in part from in-kind contributions. (f) Applications To be eligible for a grant under the Program a State, local, or Tribal government entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate. (g) Prohibition (1) In general A grant awarded under the Program may not be used to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement system. (2) Automated traffic enforcement system defined In this subsection, the term automated traffic enforcement system means any device that captures an image of or information from a vehicle for the purposes of traffic law enforcement.