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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 26, 2022 01:13 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Donna Oberlander and Rep. Greg Rothman, Rep. Robert W. Mercuri |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Highly Automated Vehicles Deployment |
| In the very near future, we intend to introduce legislation that will modernize the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code to allow for the driverless testing and deployment of highly autonomous vehicles in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The autonomous vehicles sector is strongly contributing to our economy as an emerging industry in the technology sector. A recent study—conducted by the Regional Industrial Development Corporation and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce—revealed that the estimated direct employment footprint in Pittsburgh’s AV industry tallies over direct 6,300 jobs, providing an estimated $651 million in labor income; and, resulting in $34.7 million in state and local tax revenue and $126.7 million in federal taxes. When indirect jobs are included, the number of total industry jobs in the region is 15,000. These figures continue to grow as the industry continues to expand here in Pennsylvania. This technology not only provides the jobs of the future, but it also saves lives. Each year, nearly 40,000 Americans died in motor vehicle crashes. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that 8,730 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first three months of 2021, a 10.5% increase from the 7,900 fatalities the agency reported for the first quarter of 2020. More than 90% of these accidents are caused by human error. This is unacceptable. Additionally, our country faces an enormous supply chain problem. Our ports are backed up and the current CDL driver shortage of more than 80,000 is expected to rise to 100,000 by 2023. This problem is not going to fix itself. We need creative and innovative ideas like autonomous vehicles to help take the pressure off the supply chain and help deliver food, medicine, and building supplies across the United States. Autonomous vehicles can help but only if they are allowed to operate in states like Pennsylvania with a vast and key transportation network. Our legislation will create a pathway for Pennsylvania to join 17 other states that have already enacted similar laws. We seek to amend the Vehicle Code to permit a highly autonomous vehicle to operate in a driverless fashion while still maintaining pedestrian, occupant, and overall traffic safety as other states have already done in a safe and responsible manner. In order to continue to lead in this world-changing industry, Pennsylvania’s outdated transportation laws have to be changed. Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB2398