Relates to roundabouts and makes technical corrections to provisions of law relating to lane-use control signal indications, circular intersections and RR crossings

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill would create a new VTL § 106 that defines a "circulatory roadway".

Section 2 of the bill would create a new subdivision (c) to VTL § 120 that defines "circular intersection".

Section 3 of the bill would create a new VTL § 140-d that defines "roundabout".

Section 4 of the bill would amend VTL § 1116 to eliminate the reference to a flashing yellow X signal indication and add language to include a steady white two-way left turn arrow signal indication and a steady white one-way left turn arrow signal indication.

Section 5 of the bill would amend VTL § 1127 to replace the term "rotary traffic islands" with "circular intersections".

Section 6 of the bill would amend VTL § 1685 to include "yield" signs at passive railroad grade crossings.

Section 7 of the bill provides for an immediate effective date.

Existing law

The VTL § 1127 refers to "rotary traffic islands" and VTL § 120 defines "intersections". VTL § 1116(c) allows the use of the flashing yellow X as opposed to two different steady white signal indications. VTL § 1685 allows the use of a "stop" sign, but not a "yield" sign at any highway-rail crossing.

Prior legislative history

This is a new proposal.

Statement in support

States are required to substantially conform to the National Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices ("NMUTCD") or face possible sanctions by the Federal Highway Administration ("FHWA"). The current version of

the NMUTCD was adopted in January 2010, and New York's law must conform to federal mandates to avoid the possibility of losing federal highway funding. This bill brings New York into compliance with respect to roundabouts, lane-use control signal indications, and highway-rail grade crossings.

Roundabout and Related Definitions Currently, the VTL refers to "rotary traffic islands," which is a generic term for circular intersections such as traffic circles and rotaries. While a "roundabout" looks similar, it functions differently. A roundabout is a type of a circular intersection with characteristics not found in other types of circular intersections. In addition, a roundabout in New York State operates as a single intersection whereas the rotaries and circles are considered as multiple intersections. Traffic engineers favor roundabouts, because they maintain traffic flow better than signalized intersections but generally require a smaller right-of-way than rotaries or traffic circles. This bill creates a definition for roundabouts that incorporates guidance from the FHWA, which recommends that a roundabout be specifically defined as a single intersection, regardless of the size of the roundabout. The addition of these definitions will ensure that the VTL reflects the current state of traffic engineering in New York.

Lane-Use Control Signal Indications Lane-use control signal indications are special overhead signals that permit or prohibit the use of specific lanes of a street or highway. Lane-use control signal indications are distinguished by placement of special signal faces over a certain lane or lanes of the roadway and by their distinctive shapes and symbols. Supplementary signs are sometimes used to explain their meaning and intent. Lane-use control signal indications are most commonly used for reversible-lane control, but are also used in certain non-reversible lane applications and for toll plaza lanes.

The NMUTCD requires that a steady, white two-way left turn arrow signal be used to indicate that a lane may be used for left turns, but not for through travel, with the understanding that common use of the lane by oncoming traffic for left turns is also permitted. New York's current State Supplement to the NMUTCD utilizes a flashing yellow X signal in these situations. The NMUTCD now requires that a steady white one-way left turn arrow signal be used to indicate that a lane may be used for left turns, but not for through travel, and without opposing turns in the same lane. New York law does not currently mandate any signal for such situations. The bill also makes minor changes to the provisions for other lane-use control signal indicators in order to conform to the requirements of the NMUTCD. Amending VTL 1116 will conform New York law with federal law.

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing The NMUTCD mandates that at least one R15-1 crossbuck sign be used on each highway approach to every highway-rail crossing whereas the former 2005 State MUTED allowed for the omission of the railroad crossbuck where authorized by the Department of Transportation under Railroad Law § 53. Current VTL § 1685 allows the use of a "stop" sign but not a "yield" sign at any highway-rail crossing. Amending VTL 1685 will conform New York law with federal law.

Budget implications

These changes do not add significant costs and compliance will eliminate the possibility of federal sanctions and the loss of federal highway funds.

Effective date

This act would take effect immediately.