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H 3804

An Act to improve pedestrian safety

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by James Arena-DeRosa and 15 co-sponsors

The bill requires adjusting crosswalk signal timings to accommodate slower pedestrians (elderly, mobility-impaired, or assisting others) and mandates local lists and timelines.

Accompanied a study order, see H4775
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Bill Summary · H 3804

Summary: House Bill H.3804 – An Act to Improve Pedestrian Safety

Overview

  • Bill number: H.3804 (House Docket No. 1806)
  • Title: An Act to improve pedestrian safety
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Accompanied by a study order (see H.4775); referred to the Senate and House as part of Transportation matters
  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Tommy Vitolo (Brookline)

This bill adds requirements aimed at making signalized crosswalks safer for pedestrians who walk more slowly, including older adults, people with mobility impairments, and those carrying or assisting others.

Key Provisions

1) Pedestrian clearance time consideration
- Amends Chapter 85, Section 2 of the General Laws.
- Requires the Department’s manual to specify that pedestrians with slower speeds (due to age, mobility issues, or transporting/assisting another person) must be considered when determining pedestrian clearance time at crosswalks.
- The department is to promulgate regulations directing municipalities to address these slower-walking pedestrians in signal timing.

2) Local authorities and timing adjustments
- The regulations must direct municipalities to:
- (a) Create a list of crosswalk locations within their boundaries that are heavily used by pedestrians likely to have slower walking speeds (due to age, mobility issues, or transporting/assisting someone).
- (b) For locations on the list with regularly used signalized crosswalks, adjust walk clearance times to reasonably accommodate the slower pedestrians, enabling a safe crossing.

3) Implementation timeline
- Regulations to be promulgated by the administrator of the Department of Highways no later than January 1, 2026.
- Municipalities must achieve compliance with these regulations no later than January 1, 2027.

Who Is Affected

  • Pedestrians: Particularly those with slower walking speeds due to age, mobility impairments, or while transporting/assisting another person.
  • Municipalities: Required to develop the high-pedestrian-use list and adjust signal timings accordingly.
  • State Department of Highways (MassDOT/Department of Transportation): Responsible for issuing the manual clarification and promulgating implementing regulations.

Implementation and Timeline

  • Regulation development: By January 1, 2026.
  • Municipal compliance: By January 1, 2027.
  • Current status indicates the bill is tied to a study order (H.4775), suggesting concurrent evaluation of pedestrian safety practices.

Legislative Context

  • Legislative actions show initial referral to the Transportation committee (February 27, 2025) with hearings scheduled in June 2025.
  • The bill is listed as HD 1806 in related materials, and there is a note that H.3804 accompanies a study order (H.4775).

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Safety: Aims to reduce crossing times that are too short for slower pedestrians, potentially reducing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
  • Costs: Municipalities may incur costs to compile lists and adjust signal timings; regulations may identify funding or shared-service needs.
  • Equity: Addresses accessibility and mobility equity by explicitly recognizing slower pedestrians in signal timing.

This summary captures the bill’s substantive changes to pedestrian signal timing and the regulatory pathway for implementation, including the targeted timeline and affected parties.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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