TRENTON – The Senate Transportation Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Andrew Zwicker and Gordon Johnson that would require the Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in consultation with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC), to establish a three-year pilot program allowing testers to operate fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the state.
“New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the northeast in developing safe and efficient autonomous vehicle technology that will revolutionize how we travel,” said Senator Zwicker (D-Middlesex/Mercer/Somerset/Hunterdon). “By initiating this program, we will lay the groundwork for massive improvements to our transit infrastructure, building off of years of autonomous vehicle research to improve public safety and expand access to reliable transportation.”
The pilot program would be overseen by a task force composed of nine members: a public safety official, a transportation expert, an autonomous vehicle developer, an automobile insurance industry representative, a motor vehicle dealer representative, a consumer advocate, a NJDOT representative, and two commission representatives. Members will be appointed by NJDOT, in consultation with the NJ MVC.
“Autonomous vehicle technology is rapidly advancing, and we must work to ensure that it is safe before its full implementation on our roads,” said Senator Johnson (D-Bergen). “This program establishes strong safeguards and clear oversight measures that will allow the state to responsibly evaluate the technology without risking the safety of our communities.”
The task force would be required to provide monthly reports to NJDOT and the NJ MVC regarding the status of the pilot program; solicit public feedback concerning the pilot program; assist NJDOT and NJ MVC in establishing responses and protocols related to AV collisions, cyberattacks against AV manufacturers and AVs, major operational disruptions concerning AVs, and liability in the event of AV collisions; and coordinate with the New Jersey Division of State Police and the Office of the Attorney General to develop guidelines to govern pedestrian and driver security and safety.
The bill, S-1677, would require all AV collisions to be reported to NJDOT within five days. Additionally, the bill would require NJDOT to establish new AV testing environments, including closed testbeds and open-road testbeds, and to utilize existing AV testing environments. NJDOT would be required to identify funding sources to invest in and to coordinate with counties and municipalities to deploy smart infrastructure for AVs, including sensor-equipped roads, communication systems, and real-time traffic management technology.
NJDOT would be required, no later than six months after completion of the three-year pilot program, to submit to the Governor and the Legislature a report evaluating the pilot program and including recommendations for the safe integration of AVs on State highways. NJDOT, in consultation with the NJ MVC, would adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of the bill.
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