Bill > S1945

This bill aims to promote the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into the transportation system of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Defining terms related to autonomous vehicles, such as "automated driving system," "autonomous vehicle," and "level three vehicle." 2. Establishing a policy to allow autonomous vehicles on public roads, subject to regulations to ensure public safety, adequate funding for transportation infrastructure, and compliance with state and federal laws. 3. Authorizing the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to promulgate rules for the testing and deployment of level three and autonomous vehicles, including requirements for data collection and privacy protection. 4. Allowing the testing of level three vehicles and the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles, provided they meet certain safety and technological requirements. 5. Establishing a road usage charge on autonomous vehicles, with provisions for adjusting the rate based on factors like vehicle weight, occupancy, and travel time. 6. Allocating the revenue from the road usage charge to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. The overall goal of the bill is to facilitate the safe and responsible integration of autonomous vehicles into Massachusetts' transportation network, while addressing related policy and regulatory considerations.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1945