Bill Text: CA AB2264 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Amended

California Assembly Bill 2264 (Prior Session Legislation)

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

Bill Title: Pedestrian crossing signals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-09-23 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 496, Statutes of 2022. [AB2264 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AB2264-Amended.html

Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2022

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2264

Introduced by Assembly Member Bloom

February 16, 2022

An act to ~~add~~ amend Section ~~21368.5 to~~ 21450.5 of the Vehicle Code, relating to pedestrians.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2264, as amended, Bloom. Pedestrian crossing signals.

Under existing law, a pedestrian control signal showing a “WALK” or approved “Walking Person” symbol means a pedestrian may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal. Under existing law, a pedestrian facing a flashing “DON’T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol with a “countdown” signal, as specified, means a pedestrian may start crossing the roadway in the direction of the signal but requires the pedestrian to finish crossing prior to the display of the steady “DON’T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol, as specified.

This bill would require the Department of Transportation and local authorities to update all pedestrian control signals to operate giving a pedestrian a head start between 3 to 7 seconds to enter an intersection with a corresponding circular green signal, as specified.
Existing law defines a traffic-actuated signal as an official traffic signal, as specified, that displays one or more of its indications in response to traffic detected by mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means. Upon the first placement or replacement of a traffic-actuated signal, as specified, existing law requires the traffic-actuated signal to be installed and maintained to detect bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway.
This bill would require a traffic-actuated signal to be installed and maintained to have a leading pedestrian interval, upon the first placement or replacement of a traffic-actuated signal. The bill would also require an existing traffic-actuated signal capable of being implemented with remote installation or in-person programming to be programmed with a leading pedestrian interval when maintenance work is done on the intersection in which the traffic-actuated signal is located, if the signal is in a residence, business, or business activity district, a safety corridor, or an area with a high concentration of pedestrians and cyclists, as specified. These requirements would not apply when prohibited by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The bill would define a “leading pedestrian interval” for these purposes as an official traffic control signal that advances the “WALK” signal for 3 to 7 seconds while the red signal halting traffic continues to be displayed on parallel through or turning traffic.

Because this would increase the level of services imposed on certain local governments, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.Section 21368.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
21368.5.
The Department of Transportation and local authorities shall update all pedestrian control signals to operate using a leading pedestrian interval of three to seven seconds to give pedestrians a head start when entering an intersection with a corresponding circular green signal in the same direction of travel.

SECTION 1.

Section 21450.5 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

21450.5.

(a) A traffic-actuated signal is an official traffic control signal, as specified in Section 445, that displays one or more of its indications in response to the presence of traffic detected by mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means.

(b) Upon the first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, the traffic-actuated signal shall, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional traffic engineering practice, be installed and maintained so as to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway.

(c) Cities, counties, and cities and counties shall not be required to comply with the provisions contained in subdivision (b) until the Department of Transportation, in consultation with these entities, has established uniform standards, specifications, and guidelines for the detection of bicycles and motorcycles by traffic-actuated signals and related signal timing.

(d) (1) Upon the first placement or replacement of a traffic-actuated signal, a traffic-actuated signal shall be installed and maintained to have a leading pedestrian interval.
(2) An existing traffic-actuated signal capable of being implemented with remote installation or in-person programming shall have a leading pedestrian interval programmed when maintenance work is done on the intersection in which the traffic-actuated signal is located, if the traffic-actuated signal is in any of the following areas:
(A) A residence district.
(B) A business district.
(C) A business activity district.
(D) A safety corridor.
(E) An area with a high concentration of pedestrians and cyclists, as determined by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 22358.7.
(3) The requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply when prohibited by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(4) As used in this subdivision, a “leading pedestrian interval” means an official traffic control signal that advances the “WALK” signal for three to seven seconds while the red signal halting traffic continues to be displayed on parallel through or turning traffic.

SEC. 2.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.