Manual on uniform traffic control devices

(a) In general Section 109(d)(2) of title 23, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking Not later than and inserting the following: (A) In general Not later than; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) Public accountability (i) In general For the most recent published edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (as of the date of enactment of the Building Safer Streets Act), and not later than 1 year after the date of publication of each subsequent update of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the Secretary shall publish documentation explaining all specific prohibitions against devices or designs, including— (I) any considerations to allow local flexibility; (II) research in support of the prohibitions, including the need to actively prohibit a design or practice; and (III) proof of compliance with Federal law (including regulations). (ii) National committee on uniform traffic control devices With respect to updates to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices after the most recent published edition described in clause (i), the Secretary shall request that the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices provide documentation of the decisions made during the update process with respect to recommendations provided to the Secretary by the National Committee.. (b) Updates to Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Section 11135 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (23 U.S.C. 109 note; Public Law 117–58) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by adding and at the end; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking; and and inserting a period; and (3) by striking paragraph (5). (c) GAO Study (1) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the use of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (referred to in this subsection as the Manual) by State and local government traffic engineers, planners, and consultants— (A) to provide an estimate of the extent to which practitioners, based on a representative sample— (i) exercise engineering discretion as permitted by the Manual for street designs intended to increase safety and improve multimodal access; and (ii) feel constrained or otherwise discouraged from implementing alternative street designs that improve safety outcomes by the guidelines in the Manual; (B) to estimate the average increases in costs and time needed to complete a project caused by the need to request or otherwise determine an exception to the Manual, including requirements for engineering studies; and (C) to identify the types of facilities, projects, and contexts for which discretion to deviate from the Manual are most frequently sought. (2) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (A) submit to Congress a report that describes the findings and conclusions of the study conducted under paragraph (1); and (B) make the report under subparagraph (A) publicly available online.