OLR Bill Analysis

SB 427

AN ACT CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF CONTROL CITIES.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the transportation commissioner to adopt regulations for designating “control cities” in accordance with the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

Control Cities

Control cities are forward locations shown on highway signs on the Interstate Highway System. AASHTO periodically publishes a list of control cities for all Interstate routes. Control cities are locations determined by each state to be major destinations or population centers on or near the Interstate Highway System. Once control cities designated, successive signs throughout the length of the route are expected to display only these cities until the destinations are reached.

Under the AASHTO guidelines, states may submit requests for the addition of cities to the list of control cities to the AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Traffic Engineering for consideration. The state's request should include a statement of the proposed addition or change, an illustration which would be helpful to understand the request, and any supporting data or information that would present justification for making the addition or change. A task force selected by the subcommittee reviews the submitted information and makes its recommendation to the subcommittee for a vote. Recommendations are presented to the AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways and its Board of Directors for approval.

AASHTO

AASHTO is a professional association consisting of state agencies with official highway and transportation responsibilities. Its primary mission is to advocate transportation-related policies, provide technical services to member states, and establish uniform guidelines and standards, many of which have been adopted as national standards.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Transportation Committee

Joint Favorable