86R5004 BEE-D
By: Watson S.B. No. 1135
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation of public transit vehicles equipped with
connected braking systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 545.0621 to read as follows:
Sec. 545.0621. FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC
TRANSIT VEHICLES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Automated motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned
by Section 545.451.
(2) "Connected braking system" has the meaning
assigned by Section 545.062(d).
(3) "Public transit vehicle" means a bus or other
vehicle, including an automated motor vehicle, used to provide
transit services to the public by:
(A) a political subdivision of this state; or
(B) a private entity operating under a contract
with a political subdivision of this state.
(b) Sections 545.062(b), (c), and (d) do not apply to an
operator of a public transit vehicle that is following one or more
other public transit vehicles if:
(1) the vehicles are equipped with a connected braking
system; and
(2) the speed of each vehicle is automatically
coordinated through the connected braking system.
SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 545.457 to read as follows:
Sec. 545.457. FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR CERTAIN AUTOMATED
MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Connected braking system" has the meaning
assigned by Section 545.062(d).
(2) "Public transit vehicle" has the meaning assigned
by Section 545.0621.
(b) This section applies only to an automated motor vehicle
that is a public transit vehicle.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 545.062, an automated motor
vehicle equipped with a connected braking system that is following
another automated motor vehicle equipped with that system may be
assisted by the system to maintain any desired distance between the
vehicles.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.