August 9, 2006, Introduced by Reps. Kolb, Accavitti, Kathleen Law, Zelenko, Green, Vagnozzi, Lipsey, Alma Smith and Tobocman and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
A bill to promote driver safety, the free flow of traffic, and
fuel conservation in the synchronization of traffic control signals
within communities and between adjacent communities; and to
prescribe certain duties of certain state agencies.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "green
light community act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Department" means the department of state police.
(b) "Traffic control signal" means any device, whether
manually, electrically, or mechanically operated, by which traffic
is alternately directed to stop and then proceed.
(c) "Unit of local government" means a county, city, or
village.
Sec. 3. (1) For a unit of local government to qualify for the
designation "green light community", the unit of local government
shall meet the requirements in this section.
(2) A unit of local government may apply to the department on
a form prescribed by the department to be designated a "green light
community". In order to qualify as a green light community, the
local unit of government shall demonstrate the following to the
satisfaction of the department:
(a) The unit of local government has maximized the
synchronization of traffic control signals on designated streets in
its jurisdiction to allow motorists to save energy and promote the
free flow of traffic to improve safety.
(b) The unit of local government has taken steps to reach out
to adjacent units of local government and explore opportunities to
coordinate synchronization of traffic control signals to the extent
practicable.
Sec. 4. The department shall review the application and grant
the designation of green light community to a unit of local
government that has demonstrated the elements required in section
3.
Sec. 5. The department may provide a unit of local government
that has attained the designation of green light community with
grants to the extent available to be used to promote traffic
control signal synchronization to implement a safe flow of traffic
with the maximum fuel conservation. The department shall provide
information, including, but not limited to, hyperlinks, on its
website to assist local units of government in gathering
information to determine how to qualify for the designation. The
department shall participate in education, outreach, and promotion
of the benefits of becoming a green light community. In determining
how to formulate, promote, and educate communities about the
benefits of becoming a green light community, the department may
consult with other state agencies. The department, in cooperation
with other state agencies as the department determines necessary,
shall design a logo indicating that a community is a green light
community.
Sec. 6. A local unit of government that qualifies as a green
light community is authorized to utilize the official state-
designed logo indicating that it is a green light community on its
signage and otherwise as appropriate at its own expense.