Less Traffic with Smart Stop Lights Act of 2019

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 2019 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 (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 (h) Crowdsourcing Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept, subject to regulations issued by the Office of Personnel Management, voluntary services if— (1) such services are accepted by the Secretary for an authorized use under subsection (c); (2) volunteers are not financially compensated; and (3) volunteers will not be used to displace any employee of the Federal Government. (i) Funding (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may use amounts made available to carry out the surface transportation block grant program (established under section 133(a) of title 23, United States Code) and the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program (established under section 149(a) of title 23, United States Code) to carry out the Program. (2) Paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Less Traffic with Smart Stop Lights Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program. DOT may provide competitive grants to states, local, or tribal government entities for projects that improve the functioning of traffic signals to (1) reduce traffic congestion, (2) improve the safety and effectiveness of roadways, (3) reduce fuel costs for drivers, and (4) reduce air pollution. Grants may not be used to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement system. The federal share of project costs may not exceed 80%, but DOT may waive such limit if an assisted entity can show extreme financial hardship.