RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

SB2470

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2470

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO TRANSPORTATION
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that pedestrian safety is a top transportation priority.
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However, between the periods from 2009 to
2013 and 2014 to 2018, pedestrian fatalities across the State rose by thirty-eight
per cent.
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The year 2025 was a
particularly dangerous year for pedestrians with thirty-seven pedestrian
fatalities in traffic accidents, the second highest death toll recorded since
2003 and a one hundred sixty-eight per cent increase over 2023 numbers.

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The legislature further finds that decades
of automobile‑centric planning and development have created formidable
mobility barriers, including the lack of safe and accessible pedestrian
infrastructure.
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As part of the
settlement agreement under
Navahine v.
Hawaii Department of Transportation
, the State committed to completing its
multimodal transit, bicycle, and pedestrian network by 2030.

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The legislature further finds that many
localities have been using leading pedestrian intervals to decrease the
likelihood of pedestrian fatalities.
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A
leading pedestrian interval gives pedestrians the opportunity to enter the
crosswalk at an intersection three to seven seconds before vehicles are given a
green indication in the same direction of travel; thus, pedestrians can better
establish their presence in the intersection and reinforce their right-of-way
over turning vehicles.
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The Federal
Highway Administration lists leading pedestrian intervals as one of its proven
safety countermeasures, citing a 2018 study that noted a thirteen per cent
decrease in pedestrian-vehicle conflicts at intersections that installed them.

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The legislature further finds that
accessibility is a critical component of pedestrian safety.
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To ensure equitable access for individuals who
are blind or have low vision, intersections with leading pedestrian intervals should
also include accessible pedestrian signals.
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Accessible pedestrian signals provide audible
and tactile cues that convey the same information as visual pedestrian signals,
allowing all pedestrians to cross safely and independently.
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Both leading pedestrian intervals and
accessible pedestrian signals are low cost solutions to improve pedestrian
safety and inclusivity.
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As such, these
tools are included in federal guidance and have become standard practice in
cities around the globe.

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The purpose of this Act is to:

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(1)
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Require
and appropriate funds for the department of transportation to install leading
pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals;

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(2)
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Ensure that accessible pedestrian signals are
installed at intersections where leading pedestrian intervals are already
installed;

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(3)
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Require the department of transportation, in
coordination with the counties, to establish a program through which
pedestrians and community members may request the installation of accessible
pedestrian signals at specific intersections; and

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(4)
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Require that additional safety improvements,
such as "No Turn on Red" signs, are implemented as necessary where
leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals are installed.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new
section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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"
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291C-

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Pedestrian
signal head; leading pedestrian interval; accessible pedestrian signal.
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(a)
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Upon the
first placement or replacement of a state-owned or operated pedestrian signal
head, the signal shall be installed with a leading pedestrian interval and an
accessible pedestrian signal.

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(b)
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At intersections where leading pedestrian
intervals are already installed, accessible pedestrian signals shall also be
installed to accommodate pedestrians who are blind or have low vision.

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(c)

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As necessary, where leading pedestrian
intervals and accessible pedestrian signals are installed, the department of
transportation shall implement additional safety improvements, such as posting
"No Turn on Red" signs, improving crosswalk visibility, or other
countermeasures to reduce pedestrian‑vehicle conflicts.

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(d)

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The department of transportation shall
install leading pedestrian intervals on not fewer than twenty-five existing
intersections with pedestrian signal heads on an annual basis until all
intersections with pedestrian signal heads are so equipped.
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In installing leading pedestrian intervals
pursuant to this subsection, the department of transportation shall prioritize
intersections with high collision rates and intersections that are adjacent to
schools.

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(e)
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An existing state-owned or operated pedestrian
signal head capable of being implemented from remote installation or in-person
programming shall have a leading pedestrian interval programmed when
maintenance work is next performed on the intersection in which the signal is
located; provided that it is located in:

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(1)
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A residential district;

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(2)
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A business district;

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(3)
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A business activity district;

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(4)
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A safety corridor;

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(5)
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A school zone; or

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(6)
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An area with a high concentration of
pedestrians, as determined by the department of transportation.

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(f)
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In coordination with the counties, the
department of transportation shall develop and maintain a program that allows
pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible
pedestrian signals at specific intersections.
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The department shall establish clear criteria
and a transparent process for evaluating and prioritizing the requests based on
pedestrian demand, proximity to schools and transit, and safety considerations.

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(g)
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For purposes of this section:

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"Accessible
pedestrian signal" means a device with a detector that provides pedestrian-control
signals in nonvisual formats, including audible tones, speech messages, and
vibrotactile surfaces.

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"Intersections
with high collision rates" means intersections where one or more pedestrian-vehicle
collisions resulting in serious injury or fatality have occurred within the
last ten years.

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"Leading
pedestrian interval" means the three to seven second visual display of the
pedestrian-control signal permitting a pedestrian to walk while the steady red
traffic‑control signal continues to be visually displayed.

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"Pedestrian
signal head" means a device for visually displaying pedestrian-control signals
.
"

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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $1,200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the department of transportation to install state-owned or
operated pedestrian signal heads with leading pedestrian intervals and
accessible pedestrian signals, and for associated improvements to pedestrian
safety where applicable.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOT;
Pedestrian Safety; Leading Pedestrian Interval; Accessible Pedestrian Signal;
Request Program; Appropriation

Description:

Requires
the installation of leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian
signals, and other safety improvements, as necessary, at state-owned or
operated pedestrian signal heads.
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Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the
counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to
request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific
intersections.
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Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.