PRINTER'S NO. 1238

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

1078

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY MARSHALL, MASSER, MILLARD, MURT, ROTHMAN AND

BERNSTINE, APRIL 5, 2019

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 5, 2019

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:

* * *

"Automated mode." The status of vehicle operation where the

automated driving system performs the dynamic driving task, with

or without a natural person actively supervising the automated

technology's performance of the dynamic driving task.

* * *

"Autonomous shuttle vehicle." A motor vehicle designed to

transport passengers within a designated area or in a defined

route, as determined by the department, equipped with an

automated driving system and which may include an operator as

defined in section 8601 (relating to definitions).

* * *

either perform the dynamic driving task or achieve a minimal

risk condition after occurrence of a dynamic driving task

performance-relevant system failure or upon operational design

domain exit.

* * *

"Minimal risk condition." A condition to which a user, as

defined in section 8601, or an automated driving system may

bring a vehicle after performing the dynamic driving task

fallback in order to reduce the risk of an accident when a given

trip cannot or should not be completed.

automated driving system is designed to function, including, but

not limited to, driving modes, and may incorporate a variety of

limitations, such as those from geography, traffic, speed and

roadways.

* * *

"Remote driver." A driver who is not seated in a position to

manually exercise in-vehicle braking, accelerating, steering and

transmission gear selection input devices, if any, but is able

to operate the vehicle.

* * *

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

SUBCHAPTER A

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Sec.

8601. Definitions.

§ 8601. 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:

"Operator."

(1) An individual who:

with immediate access to steering, braking and

accelerating.

(2) The term includes a driver when the automated

driving system disengages or when the operator disengages the

automated driving system to perform the dynamic driving task

in conventional mode.

"Owner." An owner of an autonomous shuttle vehicle.

"Passenger." A natural person who:

(1) has no role in the operation of that vehicle; and

(2) is not required to possess a valid license for the

class of vehicle being operated.

AUTONOMOUS SHUTTLE VEHICLES

Sec.

8621. Operation authorized.

8622. Plan of operations.

8623. Notification of route modification.

8624. Suspension or revocation of plan of operations.

8625. Vehicle laws.

8626. Incident reporting.

8627. Penalties.

8628. Liability.

operation of an autonomous shuttle vehicle on an approved route

that includes a public highway or that crosses a public highway

provided:

(1) The autonomous shuttle vehicle is capable of

operating in compliance with all applicable traffic and motor

vehicle laws.

(2) A plan of operations has not been rejected by the

department under section 8622 (relating to plan of

operations).

(b) Human operator not required.--An autonomous shuttle

vehicle operating in automated mode when the automated driving

(1) the owner or operator files a plan of operations

with the department; and

(2) the plan is not rejected by the department within 60

days after receipt of the plan.

(b) Required information.--The plan of operations shall

include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Name and address of the owner and name and address

of the entity that will be operating the autonomous shuttle

vehicle, if they differ.

(2) Defined route to include all municipalities in which

liability).

(4) Proof of registration and title in accordance with

section 1301 (relating to registration and certificate of

title required).

(5) Self-certification that the autonomous shuttle

vehicle complies with applicable Federal laws and will comply

with applicable State and local traffic and motor vehicle

laws.

(c) Public comment period.--Once the department has received

a plan of operations, the department shall post a notice within

five days for public comment with regard to the associated plan.

right to suspend or revoke a plan of operations for cause.

§ 8623. Notification of route modification.

(a) Notification.--The owner shall immediately notify the

department on a form prescribed by the department of a

modification to the defined route and the reason for the

modification.

(b) Approval by department.--The department shall approve a

modification prior to operation on a modified route.

§ 8624. Suspension or revocation of plan of operations.

The department reserves the right to suspend or revoke an

(a) License and registration.--For an autonomous shuttle

vehicle operating pursuant to section 8621(b) (relating to

operation authorized), the requirements under this title for

exhibiting a driver's license and vehicle registration are

satisfied if the vehicle registration card is in the vehicle,

physically or electronically, and available for inspection by a

police officer.

(b) Unattended vehicle.--An autonomous shuttle vehicle

operating without an operator while the automated driving system

is engaged shall not be in violation of section 3701 (relating

to unattended motor vehicle).

(1) the owner, the vehicle or the operator of the

vehicle promptly contacts the appropriate law enforcement

agency to report the accident;

(2) the owner, the vehicle or the operator of the

vehicle promptly calls for medical assistance, if

appropriate;

(3) for a reportable accident, the vehicle remains at

the scene of the accident until vehicle registration and

insurance information is provided to the parties affected by

the accident and a law enforcement officer authorizes the

vehicle registration and insurance information is provided to

the parties affected by the accident remaining at the scene.

(b) Notification.--The owner of an autonomous shuttle

vehicle shall notify the department, on a form prescribed by the

department, of any reportable or nonreportable accident within

72 hours of the accident.

§ 8627. Penalties.

The use of an autonomous shuttle vehicle absent approval of

the department under section 8622 (relating to plan of

operations) constitutes a summary offense. Upon conviction, the

offending party shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more

maintenance or use of an autonomous shuttle vehicle.

(b) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall preclude an

owner from bringing a claim against a party involved in the

design, manufacture or testing of an autonomous shuttle vehicle

under this chapter, provided that the claim does not delay

resolution of a claim involving a third party under subsection

(a).

§ 8629. Preemption.

In accordance with section 6101 (relating to applicability

and uniformity of title), this chapter supersedes and preempts

for or otherwise burdens, prohibits, limits or regulates the use

of an autonomous shuttle vehicle.