HB1711 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05255 HEP 45307 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB1711

Introduced , by Rep. Cynthia Soto

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

625 ILCS 5/1-107.1 new
625 ILCS 5/11-709.1	from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-709.1
625 ILCS 5/11-709.2 new

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "bus rapid transit vehicle" as a bus specifically authorized by the Department of Transportation to be operated upon highways and shoulders for bus rapid transit. Adds bus rapid transit vehicles to the list of vehicles exempted from prohibitions against driving on the shoulder. Creates the Bus Rapid Transit Pilot Program. Provides that commencing January 1, 2011, the Department, in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority and the Illinois State Police, shall establish a 5-year pilot program within the boundaries of the Regional Transportation Authority for bus rapid transit on highways and shoulders. Provides that the Department may adopt rules as necessary to implement the bus rapid transit pilot program, and that the Department shall present to the General Assembly a report on the effectiveness of bus rapid transit at the conclusion of the 5-year pilot program.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning transportation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 11-709.1 and by adding Sections 1-107.1 and 11-709.2 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/1-107.1 new)

Sec. 1-107.1. Bus rapid transit vehicle. A bus specifically authorized by the Department to be operated upon highways and shoulders for bus rapid transit.

(625 ILCS 5/11-709.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-709.1)

Sec. 11-709.1. Driving on the shoulder.

(a) Vehicles shall be driven on a roadway, and shall only be driven on the shoulder for the purpose of stopping or accelerating from a stop while merging into traffic. It shall be a violation of this Section if while merging into traffic and while on the shoulder, the vehicle passes any other vehicle on the roadway adjacent to it.

(b) This Section shall not apply to any authorized emergency vehicle, to any authorized bus rapid transit vehicle, to any farm tractor or implement of husbandry, to any service vehicle while engaged in maintenance of the highway or related work, or to any authorized vehicle within a designated construction zone.

(Source: P.A. 95-785, eff. 8-7-08.)

(625 ILCS 5/11-709.2 new)

Sec. 11-709.2. Bus rapid transit pilot program.

(a) For purposes of this Section, bus rapid transit is the use of specifically designated shoulders of roadways for authorized rapid transit lanes.

(b) Commencing January 1, 2011, the Department, in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority and the Illinois State Police, shall establish a 5-year pilot program within the boundaries of the Regional Transportation Authority for bus rapid transit on highways and shoulders. The pilot program may be implemented on shoulders of highways as designated by the Department in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority. Designated shoulders of roadways may be used by bus rapid transit vehicles at times and locations as set by the Department in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Authority. The Department may adopt rules as necessary for the implementation of the bus rapid transit pilot program.

(c) At the conclusion of the 5-year pilot program established under subsection (b) of this Section, the Department shall present to the General Assembly a report on the effectiveness of bus rapid transit.