(a) A traffic-actuated signal is an official traffic control signal, as specified in Section 445, that displays one or more of its indications in response to the presence of traffic detected by mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means.

(b) Upon the first placement of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal, the traffic-actuated signal shall, to the extent feasible and in conformance with professional traffic engineering practice, be installed and maintained to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic on the roadway.

Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 21450.5

  • business: includes a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and any other form of commercial enterprise. See California Vehicle Code 234
  • Department: means the Department of Motor Vehicles except, when used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2100) of Division 2 and in Divisions 11 (commencing with Section 21000), 12 (commencing with Section 24000), 13 (commencing with Section 29000), 14 (commencing with Section 31600), 14. See California Vehicle Code 290
  • motorcycle: is a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. See California Vehicle Code 400
  • official traffic control signal: is a ny device, whether manually, electrically or mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed and which is erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction. See California Vehicle Code 445
  • Pedestrian: includes a person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as specified in subdivision (a). See California Vehicle Code 467
  • traffic: includes pedestrians, ridden animals, vehicles, street cars, and other conveyances, either singly or together, while using any highway for purposes of travel. See California Vehicle Code 620

(c) Cities, counties, and cities and counties shall not be required to comply with the provisions contained in subdivision (b) until the Department of Transportation, in consultation with these entities, has established uniform standards, specifications, and guidelines for the detection of bicycles and motorcycles by traffic-actuated signals and related signal timing.

(d) (1) Upon the first placement or replacement of a state-owned or operated traffic-actuated signal, a traffic-actuated signal shall be installed and maintained to have a leading pedestrian interval, and shall include the installation, activation, and maintenance of an accessible pedestrian signal and detector that complies with sections 4E.08 to 4E.13 of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in effect on December 31, 2022.

(2) An existing state-owned or operated traffic-actuated signal capable of being implemented with remote installation or in-person programming shall have a leading pedestrian interval programmed when maintenance work is done on the intersection in which the traffic-actuated signal is located, if the traffic-actuated signal is in any of the following areas:

(A) A residential district.

(B) A business district.

(C) A business activity district.

(D) A safety corridor.

(E) A school zone.

(F) An area with a high concentration of pedestrians and cyclists, as determined by the Department of Transportation pursuant to Section 22358.7.

(3) The requirements in paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply when prohibited by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(4) As used in this subdivision, a “leading pedestrian interval” means an official traffic control signal that advances the “WALK” signal for three to seven seconds while the red signal halting traffic continues to be displayed on parallel through or turning traffic.

(5) As used in this subdivision, an “accessible pedestrian signal and detector” means an integrated device that communicates information about the “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” intervals at signalized intersections in nonvisual formats, including audible tones, speech messages, and vibrotactile surfaces, to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 496, Sec. 1. (AB 2264) Effective January 1, 2023.)

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