Report Title:

Vog; Hawaii Highways; Highway safety; Guardrails

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct more frequent reviews of the condition of highway guardrails on the island of Hawaii that are deteriorating from exposure to acid rain caused by vog.  Requires DOT to research measures and technology that could be used to prevent guardrail deterioration.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

313

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to highways.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  In response to the recent increase in emissions from Kilauea's newest vent at Halema‘uma‘u crater, a House Special Committee on Vog Effects (Committee) was created to bring together experts to examine the effects of vog on the people of the State of Hawaii.  The Committee held a series of fact-finding meetings focusing on health and public safety, agriculture, and economic impacts and tourism.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the State Department of Transportation to:

     (1)  Conduct more frequent reviews of the condition of the guardrails along state highways on the island of Hawaii, especially in vog affected areas, to determine their integrity and compliance with safety standards; and

     (2)  Research and determine whether preventive measures or new technology or materials can be used to reduce deterioration of the guardrails caused by acid rain.

     SECTION 2.  The department of transportation shall develop and implement a guardrail inspection program to conduct inspections of guardrails along state highways on the island of Hawaii to determine the integrity of the guardrails and any problems that may have been caused by acid rain.  The inspections shall be made in accordance with current guardrail inspection practices carried out by the department of transportation but on a more frequent basis.  The inspection program shall be implemented no later than July 1, 2010.

     The department of transportation shall determine whether preventive measures, including the use of new technology, or new or alternative materials for the construction of guardrails, can be used to reduce deterioration of the guardrails that might be caused by acid rain.

     SECTION 3.  The department of transportation shall submit a report to the legislature of its findings and recommendations, including any necessary legislation, on the status of the development and implementation of the guardrail inspection program and the results of the department of transportation's research into preventive measures to reduce the deterioration of guardrails from acid rain no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.
     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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