SF 2654

as introduced - 82nd Legislature (2001 - 2002) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to transportation; authorizing demonstration 
  1.3             project to allow authorized vanpools to drive on 
  1.4             designated highway shoulders during hours of peak 
  1.5             traffic in the metropolitan area; establishing 
  1.6             advisory committee; requiring report. 
  1.7   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.8      Section 1.  [VANPOOL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.] 
  1.9      Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITIONS.] The terms used in this 
  1.10  section have the meanings given them in this subdivision. 
  1.11     (a) An "eligible vanpool" is a commuter van, within the 
  1.12  meaning of Minnesota Statutes, section 221.011, subdivision 27, 
  1.13  that: 
  1.14     (1) has a current vanpool registration through metropolitan 
  1.15  council, metro commuter services; 
  1.16     (2) bears a Minnesota vanpool (VP) license plate; 
  1.17     (3) bears a permanent sign on the front and the rear of the 
  1.18  vehicle in letters not less than .... inches high, stating the 
  1.19  vehicle's right to operate on shoulder lanes during peak traffic 
  1.20  hours, Monday through Friday; and 
  1.21     (4) displays a certificate issued by the commissioner of 
  1.22  public safety stating that on a certain date, which must be 
  1.23  within 13 months of the date of operation, a member of the 
  1.24  Minnesota state patrol inspected the van and found that on the 
  1.25  date of inspection the bus complied with the applicable 
  1.26  provisions of state law relating to construction, design, 
  2.1   equipment, and signage. 
  2.2      (b) A "certified vanpool driver" is a holder of a Minnesota 
  2.3   driver's license who has obtained an original or renewal vanpool 
  2.4   driver safety certification within the previous 12 months 
  2.5   through the successful completion of a vanpool driver safety 
  2.6   training course offered by the metropolitan council's metro 
  2.7   commuter services or its designee. 
  2.8      Subd. 2.  [AUTHORIZATION TO USE SHOULDER LANES.] An 
  2.9   eligible vanpool that is: 
  2.10     (1) driven by a certified vanpool driver; 
  2.11     (2) carrying a minimum of three passengers, exclusive of 
  2.12  the driver; and 
  2.13     (3) equipped and operated as described in this section, may 
  2.14  be operated on designated bus-only highway shoulders in the 
  2.15  metropolitan area during peak travel hours, Monday through 
  2.16  Friday. 
  2.17     Subd. 3.  [SPEED LIMIT FOR OPERATION OF VANPOOL ON SHOULDER 
  2.18  LANES.] A person may not drive a vanpool on a designated highway 
  2.19  shoulder at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under 
  2.20  the conditions.  Any speed in excess of 35 miles per hour is 
  2.21  unlawful. 
  2.22     Subd. 4.  [VEHICLE LIGHTING.] An eligible vanpool may be 
  2.23  operated on a shoulder lane only if it is equipped with four-way 
  2.24  flashers and a roof-mounted 360-degree, flashing strobe lamp 
  2.25  that emits a yellow light.  The flashers and strobe light must 
  2.26  be activated during the time a vanpool is operated on a shoulder.
  2.27     Sec. 2.  [VANPOOL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT OVERSIGHT 
  2.28  COMMITTEE.] 
  2.29     Subdivision 1.  [MEMBERSHIP.] The demonstration project 
  2.30  oversight committee must consist of two members designated by 
  2.31  the chair of the metropolitan council, two members designated by 
  2.32  the commissioner of transportation, and two members designated 
  2.33  by the commissioner of public safety. 
  2.34     Subd. 2.  [DUTIES.] The oversight committee shall: 
  2.35     (1) review and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the 
  2.36  vanpool demonstration project; and 
  3.1      (2) report its findings and recommendations to the house of 
  3.2   representatives and senate committees with jurisdiction over 
  3.3   transportation and transit policy no later than February 15, 
  3.4   2004. 
  3.5      Sec. 3.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  3.6      Sections 1 and 2 are effective July 1, 2002, and are 
  3.7   repealed effective June 30, 2004.