What's happening
This bill requires New York to convert interstate highway exits to a mileage-based numbering system by January 1, 2021.
Why it matters
Aligns New York with Federal Standards. By adopting the federal mileage-based exit numbering system, New York will make its highway navigation more consistent with national standards, helping out-of-state drivers and improving map accuracy.
Minimizes Costs and Disruption. The bill requires the use of existing signs and add-on plates where possible, aiming to keep costs down and avoid unnecessary replacements, making the transition more efficient and less disruptive.
Provides a Transition Period. For two years after the switch, old exit numbers must still be displayed alongside new ones, reducing confusion for regular commuters, emergency responders, and businesses that rely on exit numbers for directions.
Mandates Interagency Coordination. The law directs the Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority to develop uniform signage, ensuring a consistent look and feel statewide, which can help prevent driver confusion and aid navigation.
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Who cares
New York State Department of Transportation
The commissioner would be directed, subject to appropriations, to develop and implement mileage-based exit numbering on interstate highways by January 1, 2021.
New York State Thruway Authority
The authority would have to implement the conversion in consultation with DOT and jointly establish uniform standards and signage.
Interstate highway drivers
Exit numbers would change to reflect mileage from each highway’s southernmost or westernmost terminus, with old numbers displayed for two years after conversion.
Headline styles
Switch to Mileage Exit Numbers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Switch to Mileage-Based Exits
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6109
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. DeFRANCISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the highway law and the public authorities law, in relation to establishing a mileage-based numbering system for exits along interstate highways within the state
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 332 to read as follows:
§ 332. Mileage-based exit numbers; interstate highways. 1. The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed, subject to appropriations made therefor, to develop and implement a plan to convert exit numbers along interstate highways located within this state to a mileage-based exit numbering system. Such system shall:
(a) follow, as closely as is practicable, the federal highway administration interchange exit numbering system of mileage-based reference post numbering;
(b) follow the convention that such mileage-based exit numbering shall begin at the southernmost or westernmost terminus of such interstate highway; and
(c) minimize cost by using existing roadside and overhead signs and add-on plates to display new exit numbers whenever possible.
2. For a period of two years following the completion of the conversion to the mileage-based exit numbering system made pursuant to this section, the exit number of each exit prior to such conversion shall continue to be displayed at each such exit.
3. The mileage-based exit numbering system set forth in this section shall be completed on or before January first, two thousand twenty-one.
§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 389 to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08312-01-7
S. 6109 2
§ 389. Mileage-based exit numbers; interstate highways. 1. The authority, in consultation with the department of transportation, is hereby authorized and directed, subject to appropriations made therefor, to develop and implement a plan to convert exit numbers along interstate highways located within this state to a mileage-based exit numbering system. Such system shall:
(a) follow, as closely as is practicable, the federal highway administration interchange exit numbering system of mileage-based reference post numbering;
(b) follow the convention that such mileage-based exit numbering shall begin at the southernmost or westernmost terminus of such interstate highway; and
(c) minimize cost by using existing roadside and overhead signs and add-on plates to display new exit numbers whenever possible.
2. For a period of two years following the completion of the conversion to the mileage-based exit numbering system made pursuant to this section, the exit number of each exit prior to such conversion shall continue to be displayed at each such exit.
3. The mileage-based exit numbering system set forth in this section shall be completed on or before January first, two thousand twenty-one.
§ 3. The commissioner of transportation and the chairman of the New York state thruway authority shall work in cooperation and jointly establish uniform standards and signage for the mileage-based exit number required by the provisions of this act.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the highway law and the public authorities law, in relation to establishing a mileage-based numbering system for exits along interstate highways within the state
Purpose
This bill will change the exit numbers on interstates from a chronological system to a mileage-based system.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 332 is added to the highway law to authorize the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation to develop and implement a plan, subject to appropriation, to convert the exit numbers along interstate highways in New York to a mileage-based system.
Section 388 is added to the public authorities law to authorize the Thruway Authority, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, to develop and implement a plan to convert the exit numbers along interstate highways in New York to a mileage-based system. The plan will include the following provisions:
(a) as closely as practicable, follow the Federal Highway Administration mileage-based exit numbering system;
(b) follow the convention that the numbering shall start at the southernmost or westernmost terminus of the interstate;
(c) minimize cost by using existing roadside and overhead signs whenever possible; and
(d) for a period of two years the exit number of each exit prior to such conversion shall be displayed at each such exit. The mileage-based exit numbering system shall be completed on or before January 1, 2019.
Justification
Forty-three states currently use a mileage-based system of highway exit numbering.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) recognizes two systems for numbering exits on the Dwight D Eisenhower Interstate and Defense Highway system, chronological and mileage-based.
The FHA endorses the use of the mileage-based system and has included language in the proposed 2009 National MUTCD which would mandate the mileage based system. By numbering the exits to coincide with the mileage, travelers know how far they need to drive to arrive at their destination.
Additionally, a mileage-based system of exit numbers makes numbering a newly inserted exit less confusing. Advantages of a mileage-based system are seen in terms of efficiency. A mileage-based exit number system can result in prompt and accurate location of victims by emergency personnel. This is attributed to improved conditions of navigation that the mileage-base system provides.
Prior legislative history
2011/12: A8151A Referred to Transportation 2013/14: A6054 Referred to Transportation 2015/16: A7136 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications
This bill is subject to appropriation. According to the New York State Department of Transportation, this project is estimated at a one-time cost of $23.3 million. The cost savings in this estimate are achieved by re-numbering existing exit signs to accomplish the purposes of this bill instead of manufacturing new signs.
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.