S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9235
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
November 9, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. BOYLE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to creating a
pilot program in Suffolk county for the use of accessible pedestrian-
control signals; providing for the repeal of such provisions upon
expiration thereof; and making an appropriation therefor
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 1652-b of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by
chapter 812 of the laws of 1972, is amended to read as follows:
S 1652-b. (A) Supervision and installation of traffic devices in
Suffolk county. The county superintendent of highways of Suffolk county
may, when authorized by the Suffolk county governing board, erect and
maintain traffic signs, signals and markings on, and provide traffic
engineering services in relation to any highway, road or street within a
town or village within such county, except state highways maintained by
the state, providing the governing body of the town or village having
jurisdiction over such highway, road or street determines on the basis
of an engineering and traffic investigation that such traffic signs,
signals and markings are necessary, issues any necessary ordinance,
order, rule or regulation with respect thereto, consents to the erection
and maintenance of such traffic signs, signals and markings by the coun-
ty and consents thereto by written agreement with the Suffolk county
governing board as to the extent of the authority and responsibility of
the county superintendent of highways of Suffolk county and any appor-
tionment of costs for the erection and maintenance of signs, signals and
markings and traffic engineering services. The power granted to the
Suffolk county superintendent of highways by this section shall in no
way diminish any power over roads granted to him by law but shall be in
addition to any such powers.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14745-01-9
A. 9235 2
(B) THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY SHALL
CONDUCT A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EVALUATE THE USE OF ACCESSIBLE
PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL SIGNALS.
1. "ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL SIGNAL" MEANS A DEVICE THAT COMMUNI-
CATES INFORMATION ABOUT PEDESTRIAN TIMING IN NON-VISUAL FORMAT SUCH AS
AUDIBLE TONES, SPEECH MESSAGES, AND/OR VIBRATING SURFACES.
2. THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE THAT EACH CROSSWALK LOCATED ON A
ROAD IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH A PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL
SIGNAL INDICATOR, AS DEFINED IN SECTION ELEVEN HUNDRED TWELVE OF THIS
CHAPTER, SHALL HAVE AN ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL SIGNAL WHICH
INCLUDES AUDIBLE INDICATIONS OF THE WALK INTERVAL BY SPEECH MESSAGE.
3. WITHIN FIVE YEARS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE
SUFFOLK COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS SHALL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR,
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY ON
THE PILOT PROGRAM AND ITS RESULTS. SUCH RESULTS SHALL INCLUDE RECOMMEN-
DATIONS AS TO THE FUTURE USE OF ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN-CONTROL SIGNALS.
S 2. The sum of four million dollars ($4,000,000), or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the
state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the state purposes
fund, not otherwise appropriated, and made immediately available, for
the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. Such moneys
shall be payable on the audit and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers
certified or approved by the county superintendent of highways of
Suffolk county in the manner prescribed by law.
S 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after
it shall have become a law and shall expire 5 years after such effective
date when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed
repealed.