Sponsors (3)
The bill directs modest federal funding and stricter evidence/regulatory alignment toward safer, more accessible road technologies and pedestrian infrastructure—benefiting vulnerable road users and informing national standards—while imposing recurring federal costs and potential delays, administrative hurdles, and local fiscal burdens that may limit the reach and speed of improvements.
Residents in high-risk areas—including drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians—would receive targeted safety upgrades (crosswalks, signals, lighting) and technology-enhanced traffic controls that improve situational awareness and reduce crashes.
People with disabilities would gain improved ADA-compliant pedestrian infrastructure (accessible signals, sidewalks, bridge accommodations), increasing mobility and safety.
Authorized grant funding (about $5 million per year) would help cities and tribes implement safety projects without relying solely on local budgets.
$5 million per year is likely insufficient for wide-scale infrastructure upgrades, leaving many high-need areas unfunded or forcing localities to provide matching funds.
Taxpayers bear a recurring federal cost (~$5 million/year) for the new program, which could divert resources from other priorities.
State and local governments may face additional costs to implement compliant traffic devices or retrofit existing infrastructure, increasing fiscal pressure on local budgets.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Directs NIST/DOT to study and recommend tech and physical measures to protect pedestrians, creates a DOT grant program for pedestrian-safety infrastructure, and authorizes $5M/year.
Requires NIST to send DOT potential technology-based solutions that improve traffic control devices and protect pedestrians without distracting drivers, and requires DOT to study physical and technological countermeasures to reduce pedestrian crashes (with a 2-year briefing). Creates a DOT-administered grant program for cities, Indian Tribes, and municipalities to fund pedestrian-safety infrastructure that complies with federal regulations and the ADA, and authorizes $5 million per year for the program.
Introduced August 5, 2025 by Norma Judith Torres · Last progress August 5, 2025