[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1997 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1997

 To direct the Secretary of Transportation to update a research report 
 and issue guidance to the States with respect to reducing lighting on 
 the Federal-aid system during periods of low traffic density, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 21, 2009

 Mr. Gerlach introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the 
 Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To direct the Secretary of Transportation to update a research report 
 and issue guidance to the States with respect to reducing lighting on 
 the Federal-aid system during periods of low traffic density, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. RESEARCH AND GUIDANCE WITH RESPECT TO REDUCING LIGHTING ON 
              THE FEDERAL-AID SYSTEM DURING PERIODS OF LOW TRAFFIC 
              DENSITY.

    (a) Update of Research Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, 
        acting through the Administrator of the Federal Highway 
        Administration and in cooperation with the American Association 
        of State Highway and Transportation Officials, shall update the 
        research report of the Federal Highway Administration entitled 
        ``Reduced Lighting On Freeways During Periods Of Low Traffic 
        Density'', FHWA/RD-86/018, August 1985.
            (2) Issues to address in update.--In updating the report 
        described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall address, with 
        respect to the Federal-aid system, the following:
                    (A) The optimal times and conditions for reducing 
                lighting.
                    (B) The appropriate lighting levels for various 
                roads and road features.
                    (C) The appropriate manner in which to carry out 
                reducing lighting.
                    (D) The energy savings and reduction in greenhouse 
                gases that may result from reducing lighting.
                    (E) Any legal issues relating to reducing lighting, 
                including the development of such issues since the 
                release of the report described in paragraph (1).
    (b) Guidance to States.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue 
guidance to the States with respect to reducing lighting on the 
Federal-aid system during periods of low traffic density. The Secretary 
shall base such guidance on the updated research report completed in 
accordance with subsection (a).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Federal-aid system.--The term ``Federal-aid system'' 
        has the meaning given such term in section 101(6) of title 23, 
        United States Code.
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(32) of title 23, United States Code.
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