PennDOT Approves Rules for Self-Driving Vehicles in State
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There are now rules of the road for self-driving vehicles in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation formally adopted guidelines for the operation of highly automated vehicles, or HAVs, including those that operate totally remotely without a safety driver.
“As technology like driverless vehicles advances, Pennsylvania is staying at the forefront of ensuring public safety with a regulation and certification process for those interested in operating in the state,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We are excited to continue our role as a crucial location for driverless training and operations.”
The guidelines establish rules about technology, safety, insurances, crash reporting and all conditions to be certified to operate driverless vehicles in Pennsylvania. One rule is an operator must notify a municipality 10 days in advance that it plans to operate a driverless vehicle in its jurisdiction.
🚗Driverless vehicle technology is advancing, and PA is at the forefront!
As part of our commitment to public safety, we’re releasing new guidelines to regulate and certify the first driverless vehicles on PA roads for testing purposes.
Learn more at https://t.co/wzvaTk4Q1f. — PA Department of Transportation (@PennDOTNews) October 23, 2024
PennDOT’s guidelines were created in consultation with leaders in the automated vehicle industry and the state’s Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee following feedback received from a public comment period.
Companies that have been certified to operate automated vehicles under the new guidelines include Aurora Operations Inc., Motional AD Inc., Perrone Robotics Inc. and Mapless AI Inc.
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, which PennDOT calls the “birthplace of self-driving vehicles,” is also certified.
Most operations are planned in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas.
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The state Legislature’s Act 130 regarding highly automated vehicles took effect in July 2023. The act designated PennDOT as the sole regulatory authority and directed the department to develop the guidelines adopted last week.
State Sen. Marty Flynn of Dunmore serves on the advisory committee that helped PennDOT draft the guidelines.
“The highly autonomous vehicle legislation that was passed last season allows for self-driving vehicles to be operated on roadways by certain groups. Personal ownership isn’t permitted. These would only be able to be operated by commercial companies,” Flynn said. “We will be keeping a close eye on the efficiency and safety of this program in its rollout.”
