AB2307 - Transportation: traffic signal synchronization pilot program: Western Riverside Council of Governments.

Assembly Bill No. 2307 CHAPTER 140 An act to add and repeal Section 101.16 of the Streets and Highways Code, relating to transportation. [ Approved by Governor August 27, 2026. Filed with Secretary of State August 27, 2026. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2307, Sanchez. Transportation: traffic signal synchronization pilot program: Western Riverside Council of Governments. Existing law vests the Department of Transportation with possession and control of all state highways, and authorizes the department to do any act necessary, convenient, or proper for the construction, improvement, maintenance, or use of all highways that are under its jurisdiction, possession, or control. This bill would, until January 1, 2032, authorize the Western Riverside Council of Governments, in required coordination with the department, to establish and administer a traffic signal synchronization pilot program for its member local agencies to evaluate a regional model for coordinating traffic signal timing between state highways and local street and road systems, as specified. The bill would require the Western Riverside Council of Governments, in coordination with the department, to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program, including assessing its impacts on congestion, travel time reliability, operational efficiency, and vehicle emissions, and to submit, on or before January 1, 2028, a specified report to the Legislature relating to the pilot program. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the local agencies that constitute the Western Riverside Council of Governments. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill Text The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The efficient operation of the state highway system and local street and road systems can support housing development, economic activity, and the effective use of public infrastructure. (b) Traffic congestion and unmanaged vehicle idling on existing roadways adversely affect travel time reliability, system efficiency, air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. (c) Expansion of state highways and major roadways can be constrained by fiscal, environmental, and community considerations and, as a result, transportation strategies that optimize the performance of existing infrastructure are necessary. (d) Coordinated traffic signal timing and operational management between state highways and local streets can improve traffic flow, reduce delay and vehicle idling, enhance safety, and increase the effectiveness of existing transportation infrastructure. SEC. 2. Section 101.16 is added to the Streets and Highways Code, to read: 101.16. (a) The Western Riverside Council of Governments, in coordination with the department, may establish and administer a traffic signal synchronization pilot program for its member local agencies to evaluate a regional model for coordinating traffic signal timing between state highways and local street and road systems. (b) The pilot program shall be implemented in coordination with member local agencies. The department shall participate in the pilot program, including the review of work plans, data standards, and evaluation methodologies. (c) The participating member local agencies, at their own cost, and in coordination with the Western Riverside Council of Governments, may conduct studies, implement coordinated signal timing plans, and deploy technology or communication upgrades necessary to improve traffic signal synchronization and operational coordination between state highways and local arterials. (d) Eligible activities under the pilot program may include, but are not limited to, traffic signal synchronization studies, corridor-level operational analyses, implementation of coordinated and adaptive signal timing plans, upgrades to traffic signal hardware or software, deployment of detection and communications infrastructure, and data collection and performance monitoring related to travel time reliability, congestion reduction, safety, and emissions outcomes. (e) The Western Riverside Council of Governments, in coordination with the department, shall evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program, including assessing its impacts on congestion, travel time reliability, operational efficiency, and vehicle emissions. (f) On or before January 1, 2028, the Western Riverside Council of Governments shall submit a report to the Legislature, consistent with Section 9795 of the Government Code, describing the pilot program, summarizing outcomes and performance data, identifying best practices and implementation challenges, and making recommendations regarding the applicability of the pilot program statewide. (g) For purposes of this section, “member local agencies” means the local agencies constituting the Western Riverside Council of Governments. (h) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2032, and as of that date is repealed. SEC. 3. The Legislature finds and declares that a special statute is necessary and that a general statute cannot be made applicable within the meaning of Section 16 of Article IV of the California Constitution because of the unique traffic needs of the local agencies that constitute the Western Riverside Council of Governments.