Vehicles: City of Sacramento shared autonomous vehicle pilot project.

Existing law permits the operation of an autonomous vehicle on public roads for testing purposes if, among other requirements, a driver is seated in the driver's seat and is capable of taking immediate manual control of the vehicle in the event of an autonomous technology failure or other emergency. Existing law, notwithstanding the above provision, until 180 days after the operative date of regulations promulgated by the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow testing of autonomous vehicles without a driver in the vehicle, authorizes the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority to conduct pilot projects to test autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver seated in the driver's seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator if the testing is conducted only at specified locations and the autonomous vehicle operates at speeds of less than 35 miles per hour. Existing regulations require a manufacturer testing an autonomous vehicle on public roads to comply with specified requirements, including applying for and receiving a Manufacturer's Testing Permit or a Manufacturer's Testing Permit—Driverless Vehicles from the Department of Motor Vehicles, providing proof to the department of the manufacturer's ability to respond to a judgment for damages up to $5,000,000, and providing written identification of an autonomous vehicle to the department. Existing regulations prohibit a manufacturer from allowing an autonomous test vehicle to be operated on a public road if, among other things, the manufacturer receives compensation for providing a ride to a member of the public. This bill would authorize the City of Sacramento to conduct a shared autonomous vehicle pilot project within a one-mile radius of the University/65th Street light rail station to test autonomous vehicles that do not have a driver seated in the driver's seat and are not equipped with a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator, as specified. The bill would require the city or a manufacturer participating in the pilot project to certify that local law enforcement approves of the testing area and conditions, as specified. The bill would exempt the city and a manufacturer participating in the pilot project from specified Department of Motor Vehicles regulations, and would allow a manufacturer to receive compensation for allowing a member of the public to ride in an autonomous vehicle, but would prohibit directly charging a fee to a member of the public to ride in an autonomous vehicle. This bill would make these provisions inoperative on June 1, 2020, and would repeal it as of January 1, 2021. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the City of Sacramento.