Smart Intersections Act of 2021
Bill: S.1984 | Sponsor: Sen. Romney, Mitt (R-UT)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Smart Intersections Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to award grants for improving the functioning of traffic signals through active management of traffic signal operations. State, tribal, and local government entities are eligible for these grants.
Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving the efficiency of traffic systems.

To require the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program 
       to improve the functioning of traffic signals through the 
    implementation of innovative technology, 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. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Smart Intersections Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. SMART TECHNOLOGY TRAFFIC SIGNALS GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a grant program, 
to be known as the ``Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program'', 
under which the Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities 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;
            (4) reduces air pollution; and
            (5) improves emergency response.
    (b) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under the 
program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time, in such form, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Use of Grant Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
under the program shall use the grant--
            (1) to improve active management of traffic signals, 
        including through the use of automated traffic signal 
        performance measures;
            (2) to implement strategies, activities, and projects that 
        support active management of traffic signal operations, 
        including through--
                    (A) optimization of corridor timing;
                    (B) improved vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle 
                detection at traffic signals; and
                    (C) the use of connected vehicle technologies;
            (3) to replace outdated traffic signals, as needed; and
            (4) in the case of an eligible entity that is a local 
        government entity serving a population of less than 500,000, to 
        pay the costs of temporary staffing hours dedicated to updating 
        traffic signal technology.
    (d) Timing of Expenditures.--An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under the program shall fully expend the grant funds by the date 
that is 3 years after the date on which grant funds are first made 
available to the eligible entity.
    (e) Federal Share.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal share of the costs of a 
        project assisted with a grant under the program may not exceed 
        80 percent.
            (2) 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) Prohibition.--A grant awarded under the program may not be used 
to purchase, operate, or maintain an automated traffic enforcement 
system.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out 
the program.
    (h) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Automated traffic enforcement system.--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.
            (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
        State, local, or Tribal government entity.
            (3) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Smart 
        Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program established under 
        subsection (a).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.

SEC. 3. GAO STUDY.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out, and submit to 
Congress a report describing the results of, a study on the potential 
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving the efficiency of 
traffic systems.
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