Pennsylvania Act 2018-117 — VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - PLATOONING AND HIGHLY AUTOMATED VEHICLES

Act text

Session of 2018

No. 2018-117

HB 1958

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in rules of the road in general, providing for platooning; and providing for highly automated vehicles.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding definitions to read:

§ 102. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

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"Highly automated work zone vehicle." A motor vehicle used in an active work zone, as implemented by the department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable, which is:

(1) equipped with an automated driving system; or

(2) connected by wireless communication or other technology to another vehicle allowing for coordinated or controlled movement.

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"Platoon." A group of buses, military vehicles or motor carrier vehicles traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds at following distances that are closer than would be reasonable and prudent without the coordination. The term does not include a school bus or a school vehicle.

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Section 2. Title 75 is amended by adding a section to read:

§ 3317. Platooning.

(a) General rule.--The department shall be the lead Commonwealth agency on platooning.

(b) Exception.--Nonlead vehicles in a platoon shall not be subject to section 3310 (relating to following too closely).

(c) Visual identifier.--Each vehicle in a platoon must be marked with a visual identifier on the power unit. The department, after consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, shall establish the criteria and placement of the visual identifier under subsection (e).

(d) Restrictions.--A platoon shall observe the following restrictions:

(1) A maximum of three vehicles shall be in a platoon.

(2) Vehicles in a platoon shall travel only on limited access highways or interstate highways, unless otherwise permitted by the department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable.

(3) The department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable under paragraph (2), may restrict vehicle movement under this section for operational or safety reasons, including, but not limited to, emergency conditions.

(4) A driver shall be in each vehicle of a platoon.

(e) Plan for general platoon operations.--A person may operate a platoon on a highway of this Commonwealth if the person files a plan for general platoon operations with the department. The department shall review the plan in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable. If the plan is not rejected by the department within 30 days after receipt of the plan, the person may operate the platoon.

Section 3. Title 75 is amended by adding a chapter to read:

CHAPTER 85

HIGHLY AUTOMATED VEHICLES

Sec.

8501. Definitions.

8502. Highly automated vehicles.

8503. Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee.

§ 8501. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Advisory committee." The Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee established in section 8503 (relating to Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee).

§ 8502. Highly automated vehicles.

(a) General rule.--The department shall be the lead Commonwealth agency on highly automated vehicles.

(b) Highly automated work zone vehicles.--The department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable, shall authorize the locations in Pennsylvania on a periodic basis to implement the deployment of a highly automated work zone vehicle. A driver may be required in a highly automated work zone vehicle when used in an active work zone.

§ 8503. Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee.

(a) Establishment.--The Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee is established within the department.

(b) Composition.--The advisory committee shall consist of the following members:

(1) The secretary, who shall serve as the chairperson of the advisory committee.

(2) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development.

(3) The Insurance Commissioner.

(4) The Secretary of Labor and Industry.

(5) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police.

(6) The Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

(7) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Transportation Committee of the Senate.

(8) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives.

(9) The following members to be appointed by the Governor:

(i) One member representing a transit authority located in this Commonwealth.

(ii) One member representing a transportation, educational or research institution located in this Commonwealth.

(iii) One member representing a technology company engaged in developing highly automated vehicles.

(iv) One member representing a vehicle manufacturer engaged in developing highly automated vehicles.

(v) One member representing bicyclists, pedestrians or motorcyclists in this Commonwealth.

(vi) One member representing drivers or consumers in this Commonwealth.

(vii) One member representing a municipality of this Commonwealth.

(viii) One member representing platoon operations.

(ix) One member representing an insurance company, association or exchange who is authorized to transact the business of motor vehicle insurance in this Commonwealth.

(x) Two members representing different labor organizations in this Commonwealth.

(c) Vacancies.--If a position under subsection (b)(9) has been vacant for 120 days, an appointment shall be made on a rotating basis by the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to fill the vacancy.

(d) Alternates.--An advisory committee member under subsection (b)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) or (8) may designate an alternate to serve in the member's absence. The advisory committee member shall notify the chairperson of the advisory committee in writing of the designation.

(e) Alternate for secretary.--The secretary may designate an alternate under subsection (b)(1) who must be a Deputy Secretary.

(f) Terms.--An advisory committee member may be reappointed for additional terms. The terms of advisory committee members appointed by the Governor under subsection (b)(9) shall be three years. An individual appointed to fill a vacancy on the advisory committee under subsection (b) shall serve for the unexpired term and shall be eligible for reappointment.

(g) Meetings and expenses.--The following shall apply:

(1) The advisory committee shall meet at least three times annually but may hold additional meetings as are called by the chairperson of the advisory committee. The chairperson shall provide notice at least 14 days in advance for regular meetings and shall provide a minimum of three days' notice for special meetings.

(2) A record of meeting attendance shall be maintained, and appointed members shall receive written notice if two consecutive meetings are missed. An appointed member under subsection (b)(9) who misses three consecutive meetings without good cause acceptable to the chairperson of the advisory committee may be replaced by the Governor.

(3) Minutes of the meetings shall be prepared and filed with the advisory committee and distributed to each member. Each record shall be a matter of public record.

(4) An appointed member under subsection (b)(9) may not receive per diem expenses.

(5) The department shall provide appropriate staff support to enable the advisory committee to properly carry out the advisory committee's functions.

(h) Powers.--The advisory committee shall have the power to advise and consult the secretary on each aspect of highly automated vehicles and platooning in this Commonwealth and may undertake any of the following:

(1) Developing technical guidance.

(2) Evaluating best practices.

(3) Reviewing existing laws, regulations and policies.

(4) Engaging in continued research and evaluation of connected and automated systems technology necessary to ensure safe testing, deployment and continued innovation in this Commonwealth.

(i) Annual report.--The department shall provide an annual report of the activities of the advisory committee under subsection (h) on the department's publicly accessible Internet website.

Section 4. This act shall take effect in 180 days.

APPROVED--The 24th day of October, A.D. 2018.

TOM WOLF