2018 -- H 7786

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LC004630

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Giarrusso, Price, Quattrocchi, Roberts, and Mendonca

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2018

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER

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VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 13.1

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CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS

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     31-13.1-1. Description of changeable message signs.

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     (a) A changeable message sign (CMS) is a traffic control device that is capable of

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displaying one or more alternative messages. Some changeable message signs have a blank mode

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when no message is displayed, while others display multiple messages with only one of the

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messages displayed at a time (such as OPEN/CLOSED signs at weigh stations).

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     (b) The provisions in this chapter apply to both permanent and portable changeable

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message signs with electronic displays. The provisions in this chapter do not apply to changeable

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message signs with non-electronic displays that are changed either manually or

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electromechanically, such as a hinged-panel, rotating-drum, or back-lit curtain or scroll CMS.

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     (c) Except as provided in § 31-13.1-2(b), changeable message signs shall display only the

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information set forth in § 31-13.1-2 of this chapter and other messages shall be displayed on

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changeable message signs or its supports or other equipment.

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     31-13.1-2. Applications of changeable message signs.

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     (a) Changeable message signs have a large number of applications including, but not

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limited to, the following:

 

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     (1) Incident management and route diversion;

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     (2) Warning of adverse weather conditions;

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     (3) Special event applications associated with traffic control or conditions;

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     (4) Control at crossing situations;

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     (5) Lane, ramp, and roadway control;

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     (6) Priced or other types of managed lanes;

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     (7) Travel times;

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     (8) Warning situations;

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     (9) Traffic regulations;

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     (10) Speed control; and

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     (11) Destination guidance.

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     (b) Changeable message signs may be used to display America's Missing: Broadcast

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Emergency Response (AMBER) alert messages and Silver Alert messages.

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     31-13.1-3. Design characteristics of changeable message signs.

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     Changeable message signs shall not include advertising, animation, rapid flashing,

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dissolving, exploding, scrolling, or other dynamic elements.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS

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     This act would regulate the use of electronic changeable highway message signs (CMS)

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and require the signs to display traffic operational, regulatory, warning, guidance, accident, and

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road information only.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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