Last month Sen Romney (R,UT) introduced S 1984, the Smart Intersections Act of 2021. The bill would require DOT to establish the Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program to improve the functioning of traffic signals. There are no cybersecurity provisions in the bill.
The Program
Section 2(a) of the bill would establish the Program to improve the functioning of traffic signals in a manner that:
• Reduces traffic congestion,
• Improves the safety and
effectiveness of roadways,
• Reduces fuel costs for drivers,
• Reduces air pollution, and
• Improves emergency response.
Grant funds could be used to:
• Improve active management of
traffic signals, including through the use of automated traffic signal
performance measures,
• Implement strategies, activities,
and projects that support active management of traffic signal operations, and
• Replace outdated traffic signals.
Moving Forward
Romney is not a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Technology Committee to which the bill was assigned for consideration, but two of his cosponsors {Sen Schatz (D,HI), Sen Peters (D,MI)} are members, so there is a chance that the bill will be considered in Committee. I do not see anything in this bill that would engender any specific opposition. The bill should pass in Committee with some level of bipartisan support if it is considered.
This bill is not important enough to make it to the floor of the Senate. If it does move forward, it will be as part of a larger bill.
For a more detailed analysis, including possible improvements
to the bill, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/s-1984-introduced
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