[House Report 111-614]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Rept. 111-614
2d Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Part 1
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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
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September 22, 2010.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1997]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the bill (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, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
H.R. 1997 directs the Secretary of Transportation, within
120 days of the date of enactment, to update a research report
and issue guidance to States with respect to reducing lighting
on the Federal-aid system during periods of low traffic
density.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
Highway lighting is designed to provide and improve roadway
visibility and safety, enabling motorists to see roadway
details, alignment, and any obstacles. Properly placed lighting
is designed to illuminate areas of potential vehicle conflict,
such as exit and entrance ramps.
While proper freeway lighting provides significant roadway
safety benefits, reducing lighting during periods--under
appropriate circumstances--can lead to energy and cost savings.
Both the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) have provided guidance and information to roadway
owners regarding the appropriate lighting to ensure safety, as
well as techniques to provide energy and cost savings during
periods of low traffic volumes. The most recent FHWA research
report on this topic, which was entitled ``Reduced Lighting on
Freeways During Periods of Low Traffic Density'', was released
in August 1985.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Research and guidance with respect to reducing lighting on
the Federal-aid system during periods of low traffic density
Section 1 directs the Secretary of Transportation, acting
through the Administrator of the FHWA and in cooperation with
AASHTO officials, to update the research report of the FHWA
entitled ``Reduced Lighting on Freeways During Periods of Low
Traffic Density'', within 120 days of the date of enactment of
this Act.
Subsection (a)(2) directs the Secretary, in updating the
report, to address the specific issues of: optimal times and
conditions for reduced lighting; appropriate lighting levels
for various roads and road features; appropriate manner in
which to carry out reducing lighting; energy savings and
reduction in greenhouse gases that may result from reducing
lighting; and any legal issues relating to reducing lighting.
Subsection (b) directs the Secretary to issue guidance to
States, within 180 days of the date of the enactment of this
Act, with respect to reducing lighting on the Federal-aid
system during periods of low traffic density based on the
updated research report.
Subsection (c) provides definitions.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On January 27, 2009, the Subcommittee on Highways and
Transit held a hearing on ``Energy Reduction and Environmental
Sustainability in Surface Transportation''.
On April 21, 2009, Representative Jim Gerlach introduced
H.R. 1997. This bill has not been introduced in a previous
Congress. On July 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H.R. 1997. The
Committee ordered the bill reported favorably to the House by
voice vote with a quorum present.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires each committee report to include the
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for
and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection
with consideration of H.R. 1997 or ordering the bill reported.
A motion to order H.R. 1997 reported favorably to the House was
agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is
included in this report.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee references the report of the Congressional Budget
Office included in the report.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
performance goals and objectives of this legislation are to
update a 1985 FHWA research report on ``Reduced Lighting on
Freeways During Periods of Low Traffic Density'' and to issue
guidance to States based on the findings of the updated
research report.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee has received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1997
from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, August 4, 2010.
Hon. James L. Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1997, 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.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sarah Puro.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Sunshine
(For Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 1997--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
H.R. 1997 would require the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), in conjunction with industry representatives, to update
a research report regarding the reduction of lighting on the
federal-aid highway system during periods of low traffic. The
updated report would have to include new information about
improvements in lighting technology since the report was
originally issued in 1985. FHWA also would be required to
develop guidance for states based on the updated information.
Based on the cost of similar efforts and on information
from the agency and industry sources, CBO estimates that
implementing H.R. 1997 would have no significant impact on the
federal budget. Enacting H.R. 1997 would not affect direct
spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would
not apply.
H.R. 1997 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Sarah Puro. The
estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list
of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits, as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of
rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. H.R.
1997 does not contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of
rule XXI.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint
resolution of a public character shall include a statement
citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the
Constitution to enact the measure. The Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure finds that Congress has the
authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted
under article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act (P.L. 104-4).
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H.R. 1997 does not
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H.R. 1997 makes no changes in existing law.