WORK ZONE SPEED LIMITS H.B. 5286 (H-2):
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5286 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Mark Huizenga
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to authorize the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), a county road commission, or a local authority to include one or more flashing lights and an illuminated changeable digital message displaying the speed limit on the speed limit sign required for a work zone that had a speed limit in effect only where workers were present.
The Code prohibits an individual operating a vehicle on a highway, when entering and passing through a work zone where a normal lane or part of the lane of traffic has been closed because of highway construction, maintenance, or surveying activities, from exceeding a speed of 45 miles per hour, unless a different speed limit is determined for that work zone. The Code requires MDOT, a county road commission, or a local authority to post speed limit signs in each work zone that indicate the speed limit in that work zone and to identify the work zone with any other traffic control devices necessary to conform to the Michigan Manual on Uniform Control Devices (MMUTCD). (The MMUTCD provides the State's standards for all traffic devices installed on any street, highway, bikeway, or private road open to public travel.)
Under the bill, for a work zone that had a speed limit in effect only where workers were present, MDOT, a county road commission, or a local authority could include one or more flashing lights and an illuminated changeable digital message displaying the speed limit on the speed limit sign required as described above.
"Illuminated changeable digital message" would mean an electronic message that displays the speed limit in a numerical format. "Present" would mean located in proximity to a roadway that is not protected by guardrail or barrier. "Speed limit sign" would include a sign that displays illuminated changeable digital messages.
MCL 257.627 Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local road agencies, as the bill's language is permissive. To the extent that State or local road agencies added flashing lights or digital messages as a result of the bill, the bill could increase projects costs as applied.
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Siracuse
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.