2019 -- H 5471 | |
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LC000583 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Serodio, Amore, Noret, McLaughlin, and Donovan | |
Date Introduced: February 14, 2019 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 31 of the General Laws entitled "MOTOR AND OTHER |
2 | VEHICLES" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 13.1 |
4 | CHANGEABLE MESSAGE SIGNS |
5 | 31-13.1-1. Description of changeable message signs. |
6 | (a) A changeable message sign (CMS) is a traffic control device that is capable of |
7 | displaying one or more alternative messages. Some changeable message signs have a blank mode |
8 | when no message is displayed, while others display multiple messages with only one of the |
9 | messages displayed at a time such as OPEN/CLOSED signs at weigh stations. |
10 | (b) The provisions in this chapter apply to both permanent and portable changeable |
11 | message signs with electronic displays. The provisions in this chapter do not apply to changeable |
12 | message signs with non-electronic displays that are changed either manually or |
13 | electromechanically, such as a hinged-panel, rotating-drum, or back-lit curtain or scroll CMS. |
14 | (c) Except as provided in § 31-13.1-2(b), changeable message signs shall display only the |
15 | information set forth in § 31-13.1-2 of this chapter and other messages shall be displayed on |
16 | changeable message signs or its supports or other equipment. |
17 | 31-13.1-2. Applications of changeable message signs. |
18 | (a) Changeable message signs have a large number of applications including, but not |
19 | limited to, the following: |
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1 | (1) Incident management and route diversion; |
2 | (2) Warning of adverse weather conditions; |
3 | (3) Special event applications associated with traffic control or conditions; |
4 | (4) Control at crossing situations; |
5 | (5) Lane, ramp, and roadway control; |
6 | (6) Priced or other types of managed lanes; |
7 | (7) Travel times; |
8 | (8) Warning situations; |
9 | (9) Traffic regulations; |
10 | (10) Speed control; and |
11 | (11) Destination guidance. |
12 | (b) Changeable message signs may be used to display America's Missing: Broadcast |
13 | Emergency Response (AMBER) alert messages and Silver Alert messages. |
14 | 31-13.1-3. Design characteristics of changeable message signs. |
15 | Changeable message signs shall not include advertising, animation, rapid flashing, |
16 | dissolving, exploding, scrolling, or other dynamic elements. |
17 | 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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1 | This act would regulate the use of electronic changeable highway message signs (CMS) |
2 | and require the signs to display traffic operational, regulatory, warning, guidance, accident, and |
3 | road information. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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