This provision creates a work zone safety pilot program and requires Alabama DOT and ALEA to implement it, plan for rollout, and report to the Legislature on schedule.
(a) The Alabama Work Zone Safety Act is enacted as a pilot program and shall continue through the completion of all work done in the work zone designated by the Department of Transportation, unless continued by act of the Legislature. (b) The Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) shall collaborate to implement the pilot program for one work zone conducted on the interstate and shall finalize a plan for the implementation of the pilot program by October 1, 2026. The plan shall contemplate a gradual rollout of the program and the promotion of driver awareness of the pending use of the program in work zones. The plan shall ensure that the full scale implementation and enforcement of the program shall not occur sooner than November 16, 2026, to ensure that the implementation of the program is phased in. To satisfy this deadline, the department and ALEA may make necessary emergency procurements pursuant to Sections 39-2-2 and 41-16-53 and may adopt emergency rules pursuant to Section 41-22-5 to govern the use of devices in work zones; ensure adequate notice for drivers, signage rules, and clear protocol for installation and placement of enforcement tools; provide for the use of speed detection to aid traffic law enforcement; and maintain statistical data to measure the effectiveness of tools on driver behavior. (c) Not later than March 1, 2027, the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall prepare an interim report to the Legislature summarizing the implementation of this pilot program and shall provide data measuring the effectiveness of the pilot program on creating safer work zones.