84R5567 AJZ-F
By: Gonzales H.B. No. 3690
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation of autonomous motor vehicles by the Texas
Department of Transportation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 472, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. DEPARTMENT SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
Sec. 472.041. DEPARTMENT USE OF AUTONOMOUS MOTOR VEHICLES.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Autonomous motor vehicle" means a self-propelled
vehicle or piece of equipment that uses autonomous technology to
operate itself without the active control or continuous monitoring
of a person.
(2) "Autonomous technology" means technology that
enables a vehicle or piece of equipment to operate without the
active control or continuous monitoring of a person. The term does
not include, except to the extent that such a system may be a
component of autonomous technology, an individual safety system or
a driver assistance system that enhances safety or provides driver
assistance but is not individually capable of operating a motor
vehicle or piece of equipment without the active control or
continuous monitoring of a person.
(3) "Passenger vehicle" has the meaning assigned by
Section 545.412.
(b) An operator of an autonomous motor vehicle operating
with autonomous technology is:
(1) a person who causes the vehicle's autonomous
technology to engage, regardless of whether the person is in the
autonomous motor vehicle while the vehicle is operating; or
(2) a person who is seated in the driver's seat of the
autonomous motor vehicle and continuously monitors the operation of
the autonomous motor vehicle.
(c) The commission by order may authorize the department to
operate an autonomous motor vehicle on the state highway system to
perform construction and maintenance work for the department if:
(1) the commission determines that the use of the
autonomous motor vehicle will increase the efficiency of
construction and maintenance projects and improve the safety of
department employees and the public;
(2) the manufacturer of that type of autonomous motor
vehicle has certified that:
(A) the autonomous technology of the autonomous
motor vehicle:
(i) complies with state and federal
standards and regulations for motor vehicles; and
(ii) does not impede the operation of a
feature of a motor vehicle that is required for the motor vehicle to
comply with:
(a) state and federal standards and
regulations for motor vehicles; or
(b) federal motor vehicle safety
standards for the model year of the motor vehicle, if the motor
vehicle is a passenger vehicle;
(B) the manufacturer has tested the autonomous
motor vehicle on public roadways; and
(C) the manufacturer has established financial
responsibility in a manner accepted under Section 601.051 in an
amount of at least $5 million;
(3) the autonomous motor vehicle includes a fail-safe
system where:
(A) an indicator alerts the operator to a failure
of the autonomous technology that may affect the motor vehicle's
ability to operate autonomously; and
(B) when the indicator is activated:
(i) the motor vehicle may be manually
controlled by the operator; or
(ii) the motor vehicle stops;
(4) the autonomous motor vehicle includes an indicator
that indicates whether the vehicle's autonomous technology is
turned on or off; and
(5) the autonomous motor vehicle allows the operator
to assume active control over the motor vehicle, including by using
the brakes, accelerator pedal, and steering wheel.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.