Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Building Safer Streets Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Building Safer Streets Act aims to ensure all modes of transportation and road users are considered in highway and transit programs. It requires increased public accountability for the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, including documentation of design prohibitions. The bill mandates the development of new federal design standards, regulatory updates, and categorical design exceptions to support multimodal networks. It also requires new guidance on connected networks and transit facilities, specifically regarding bus stop placement. Furthermore, the Act directs studies on engineering discretion, fatal crash design factors, and the costs of seeking design exceptions. Finally, it establishes a set-aside for small community projects within the Safe Streets for All Communities program.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The act mandates better design and placement for bus stops to support transit networks.
- Scored +6
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
The bill enhances road safety through new design standards for multimodal and transit users.
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes accessibility in the design and placement of transit facilities.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill imposes new federal notification and compliance requirements on state agencies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency in Traffic Design: The Secretary must publish documentation explaining specific prohibitions against certain devices or designs, including research and proof of compliance with Federal law (Section 3(a)(B)(i)).
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Greater Support for Multimodal Access: The bill requires the Administrator to update regulations to include accepted methods for evaluating all modes of transportation, such as pedestrians and cyclists (Section 4(b)(1)(A)).
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Improved Safety for Vulnerable Users: The Administrator will develop a list of categorical design exceptions specifically to improve safety for vulnerable road users (Section 4(c)(2)).
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Enhanced Transit Infrastructure: New guidelines will be issued for the placement and design of bus stops, considering safety, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and proximity to key destinations (Section 4(f)(2)).
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Support for Small Communities: At least 10 percent of the total amount available for the Safe Streets for All Communities program will be set aside for projects in small communities with costs under $1,000,000 (Section 6(c)(3)(A)).
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Increased Federal Funding for Local Projects: For small community projects where a funding commitment exists, the Federal share of the cost may be increased up to 90 percent (Section 6(c)(3)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Administrative Burdens: The bill requires the Secretary to publish documentation regarding the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and requests documentation from the National Committee on uniform traffic control devices (Section 3(a)).
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New Application Requirements: For certain programs, applicants must include a process indicating whether they have considered multimodal infrastructure and concluded the design will not include nonmotorized facilities (Section 4(d)(1)).
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State Compliance Requirements: States are required to notify the Secretary if they have updated their highway design manuals to reflect new federal guidance (Section 5(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes accessibility in the design and placement of transit facilities. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill emphasizes multimodal and transit improvements specifically for urbanized areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved transit access and small community project funding can benefit low-income areas. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill includes design guidelines tailored for rural road conditions.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The act mandates better design and placement for bus stops to support transit networks. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill enhances road safety through new design standards for multimodal and transit users.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The act requires publishing documentation for traffic design prohibitions and studies. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight and regulatory requirements for state highway manuals. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill imposes new federal notification and compliance requirements on state agencies.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill improves accessibility for individuals with disabilities in transit facility design.
- 8/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii