Department of Transportation: motor vehicle technologies testing.

Existing law provides that the Department of Transportation has full possession and control of the state highway system. Existing law requires the department to adopt a balanced, multimodal research and development program, including the research and development of new technologies, and to consult with affected state agencies, including, among others, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, in the performance of those duties. Existing law establishes rules of the road for the operation of a vehicle on state highways and roads. These rules require motor vehicles being driven outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, to be operated so as to allow sufficient space and in no event less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to overtake or pass. This bill would authorize the department, in coordination with the Department of the California Highway Patrol, to conduct testing of technologies that enable drivers to safely operate motor vehicles with less than 100 feet between each vehicle or combination of vehicles and would exempt motor vehicles participating in this testing from the above-described rule. The bill would require the department to report its findings from the testing to the Legislature on or before July 1, 2017, and would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2018.