I 

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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 


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•HR 1997 IH

1 SECTION 1. RESEARCH AND GUIDANCE WITH RESPECT TO 

2 REDUCING LIGHTING ON THE FEDERAL-AID 

3 SYSTEM DURING PERIODS OF LOW TRAFFIC 

4 DENSITY. 

5 (a) UPDATE OF RESEARCH REPORT.— 

6 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days 

7 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec8 retary of Transportation, acting through the Admin9 istrator of the Federal Highway Administration and 

10 in cooperation with the American Association of 

11 State Highway and Transportation Officials, shall 

12 update the research report of the Federal Highway 

13 Administration entitled ‘‘Reduced Lighting On Free14 ways During Periods Of Low Traffic Density’’, 

15 FHWA/RD–86/018, August 1985. 

16 (2) ISSUES TO ADDRESS IN UPDATE.—In up17 dating the report described in paragraph (1), the 

18 Secretary shall address, with respect to the Federal19 aid system, the following: 

20 (A) The optimal times and conditions for 

21 reducing lighting. 

22 (B) The appropriate lighting levels for var23 ious roads and road features. 

24 (C) The appropriate manner in which to 

25 carry out reducing lighting. 


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•HR 1997 IH

1 (D) The energy savings and reduction in 

2 greenhouse gases that may result from reducing 

3 lighting. 

4 (E) Any legal issues relating to reducing 

5 lighting, including the development of such 

6 issues since the release of the report described 

7 in paragraph (1). 

8 (b) GUIDANCE TO STATES.—Not later than 180 days 

9 after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 

10 of Transportation shall issue guidance to the States with 

11 respect to reducing lighting on the Federal-aid system 

12 during periods of low traffic density. The Secretary shall 

13 base such guidance on the updated research report com14 pleted in accordance with subsection (a). 

15 (c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi16 nitions apply: 

17 (1) FEDERAL-AID SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Fed18 eral-aid system’’ has the meaning given such term in 

19 section 101(6) of title 23, United States Code. 

20 (2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the mean21 ing given such term in section 101(32) of title 23, 

22 United States Code. 

Æ 


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