Bill > S4702

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program for autonomous vehicle testing in New Jersey, administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Department of Transportation. The program allows authorized autonomous vehicle testers to operate fully autonomous vehicles in closed and open-road testbeds, with strict safety requirements. Participants must submit an application, register their vehicles, and maintain $5 million in liability insurance. A seven-member task force will oversee the program, providing quarterly reports and developing protocols for collision response and safety. The bill mandates that autonomous vehicles have redundant safety systems, emergency override capabilities, crash-avoidance technologies, and cybersecurity protections. Specific provisions are outlined for autonomous taxis and commercial trucks, including designated highway operations and monitoring requirements. Autonomous vehicle operators must be licensed, seated in the driver's seat, and capable of taking manual control, even though the vehicles are designed to operate without human intervention. The pilot program will conclude with a comprehensive report to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the program's performance and recommending future integration of fully autonomous vehicles on New Jersey highways. Key terms like "automated driving system" and "operational design domain" are defined to provide clarity about the technological and operational scope of the program.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4702