Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/262

 112 STAT. 236 PUBLIC LAW 105-178-JUNE 9, 1998 (A) by striking "apportioned to" in the first sentence and all that follows through "shall be" in the second sentence; and (B) by striking "section 104(b)(1)" and inserting "section 104(b)"; and (5) in subsections (f) and (g) by striking "highway safety improvement projects" each place it appears and inserting "safety improvement projects". Regulations. SEC. 1402. ROADSIDE SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES. 23 USC 109 note. ,.^ ^, (a) CRASH CUSHIONS.— (1) GUIDANCE.— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance regarding the benefits and safety performance of reffective and nonreffective crash cushions in different road applications, taking into consideration roadway conditions, operating speed limits, the location of the crash cushion in the right-of-way, and any other relevant factors. The guidance shall include recommendations on the most appropriate circumstances for utilization of reffective and nonreffective crash cushions. (2) USE OF GUIDANCE. — States shall use the guidance issued under this subsection in evaluating the safety and cost-effectiveness of utilizing different crash cushion designs and determining whether directive or nonreffective crash cushions or other safety appurtenances should be installed at specific highway locations. (b) TRAFFIC FLOW AND SAFETY APPLICATIONS OF ROAD BARRIERS.— (1) STUDY. —The Secretary shall conduct a study on the technologies and methods to enhance safety, streamline construction, and improve capacity by providing positive separation at all times between traffic, equipment, and workers on highway construction projects. The study shall also address how such technologies can be used to improve capacity and safety at those specific highway, bridge, and other appropriate locations where reversible lane, contraflow, and high occupancy vehicle lane operations are implemented during peak traffic periods. (2) USES TO CONSIDER.—In conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider, at a minimum, uses of positive separation technologies related to— (A) separating workers from traffic flow when work is in progress; (B) providing additional safe work space by utilizing adjacent and available traffic lanes during off-peak hours; (C) rapid deployment to allow for daily or periodic restoration of lanes for use by traffic during peak hours as needed; (D) mitigating congestion caused by construction by— (i) opening all adjacent and available lanes to traf- fic during peak traffic hours; or (ii) using reversible lanes to optimize capacity of the highway by adjusting to directional traffic flow; and (E) permanent use of positive separation technologies to create contraflow or reversible lanes to increase the capacity of congested highways, bridges, and tunnels.

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