(a) On or before September first in the even-numbered year of each biennium, the commissioner shall conduct and complete an assessment of the several modes of transportation in the state, in which the commissioner shall evaluate the adequacy of the facilities and services connected with each such mode and shall determine the needs of the state transportation system. The commissioner shall consider the plans and recommendations prepared by the various boards, councils and commissions that have statutory responsibilities pertaining to the various modes of transportation in Connecticut. The commissioner shall also consider reports, studies, findings and recommendations presented in reports, plans, surveys, and studies relating to transportation prepared for or by any state agency or for or by the state's regional planning organizations.

(b) The commissioner may engage in experimental projects relating to any available or future mode of transportation, including but not limited to, high speed rail service, the development of heliports and any means of improving existing transportation facilities and services. The commissioner may be assisted by the boards, councils, commissions, state agencies and regional planning organizations referred to in subsection (a) of this section, in connection with any such project.

(1969, P.A. 768, S. 18; 1972, P.A. 134, S. 1; 238, S. 1; P.A. 75-572, S. 3, 5; P.A. 83-487, S. 3, 33; P.A. 00-148, S. 7; P.A. 10-159, S. 2; P.A. 13-277, S. 25.)

History: 1972 acts deleted in Subsec. (a) “the Connecticut aeronautics commission”, “aeronautics”, “the steamship terminals commission” and “harbors and harbor facilities” where they appear; P.A. 75-572 inserted in Subsec. (a) the word “public” in “Connecticut Transportation Authority” before the word “transportation”; P.A. 83-487 amended section to reflect change in structure and name of Connecticut Public Transportation Authority; P.A. 00-148 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing the annual requirement for revision of the comprehensive long-range master transportation plan with a biennial revision requirement and making a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality; P.A. 10-159 amended Subsec. (a) to replace requirement that commissioner conduct and complete “investigation and study” of modes of transportation on or before September first annually with requirement re “assessment” of such modes on or before September first in the even-numbered year of each biennium, and to replace requirement re consultation with Connecticut Public Transportation Commission with requirement re consideration of plans and recommendations of various boards, councils and commissions with statutory responsibilities re transportation and reports, studies, findings and recommendations of state agencies and regional planning organizations, and amended Subsec. (b) to authorize assistance by various entities referred to in Subsec. (a), effective June 21, 2010; P.A. 13-277 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re use of the assessment in the master transportation plan, effective July 1, 2013.