Bill > S2514

This bill amends Rhode Island's General Laws to permit the operation of autonomous vehicles, defined as vehicles equipped with "autonomous technology" that allows them to drive without active human control or monitoring, on state roads. The bill clarifies that this definition excludes vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control or lane keeping assistance unless these systems, individually or combined, enable self-driving. It allows licensed individuals to operate autonomous vehicles in autonomous mode, considering them the operator even if not physically present, provided they engage the technology. Autonomous vehicles registered in Rhode Island must meet federal standards, have accessible controls to engage/disengage autonomous mode, a visual indicator when in autonomous mode, an alert system for technology failures requiring human intervention, and be capable of obeying traffic laws. Federal regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will take precedence if they conflict with these provisions. The bill also permits manufacturers or their designees to test autonomous technology on roads, requiring a human operator to be present and able to intervene unless on a closed course, and mandates a $5 million insurance or surety bond for testing entities. It also shields original vehicle manufacturers from liability for defects caused by third-party autonomous conversions, unless the defect existed in the original vehicle, and requires a report by February 1, 2018, from the division of motor vehicles and division of public safety on further legislative or regulatory needs for safe autonomous vehicle operation.