Transportation (Autonomous Vehicles)

This bill creates a temporary task force to study and suggest improvements for transportation services for people with disabilities and senior citizens in New Jersey. The seven-member group includes state officials and representatives from advocacy organizations, who will meet to examine issues like travel obstacles, infrastructure, and new technologies such as automated vehicles. After organizing within 30 days, the task force will hold public hearings and submit a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months before the group dissolves.

This bill creates a five-year pilot program to test fully autonomous vehicles in New Jersey, requiring companies and institutions (called "autonomous vehicle testers") to obtain approval from the Motor Vehicle Commission before operating these vehicles. Participants must register vehicles, carry at least $5 million in liability insurance, and ensure operators are licensed, sober, and capable of taking manual control at any time. A task force of safety officials, industry experts, and consumer advocates will oversee the program, address safety concerns like collisions or cyberattacks, and provide quarterly reports. Testing will occur in controlled facilities and designated public road sections, with strict safety protocols to protect the public while allowing evaluation of autonomous technology.

This bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General (with input from the Transportation Commissioner) to create a mandatory training program for all law enforcement officers on safely interacting with autonomous vehicles during traffic stops and emergencies. It mandates that current officers complete the training by December 31, 2020, and new officers must complete it before receiving permanent appointment. The training curriculum, defined to cover vehicles operating without human control, must be reviewed every five years. The goal is to prepare police for when autonomous vehicles become legally permitted on public roads, even though they are currently prohibited in New Jersey.

This bill creates a framework for New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to partner with private companies to collect and share de-identified traffic data. It allows private entities to handle the development and operation of data projects using location information (like vehicle positions within 1,750 feet) and driving conditions, as long as the data cannot be linked to specific individuals. The goal is to provide real-time, accurate information to motorists and the DOT about road closures, weather, and traffic conditions. All projects must comply with state data privacy laws, and private partners are explicitly not considered state agencies.

New Jersey's bill A 768 would allow manufacturers to test self-driving vehicles on public roads under strict conditions. It requires manufacturers to obtain $5 million in insurance, get state agency approval, and prove their technology meets safety standards - including disengagement systems, visual alerts, and 30-second crash data recording. The bill mandates written disclosures to buyers about data collected by the vehicle's sensors and requires testing on private roads or out-of-state roads before public testing. This legislation directly affects autonomous vehicle manufacturers seeking to test in New Jersey, not individual drivers or passengers.

New Jersey's S 1677 establishes a three-year pilot program enabling autonomous vehicle testers (including manufacturers, universities, and fleet operators) to test self-driving cars on public roads. Testers must register vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Commission, carry $5 million in liability insurance, and ensure licensed operators are seated in the driver's seat monitoring operations. A seven-member task force will oversee safety protocols, handle collision responses, gather public feedback, and coordinate with law enforcement on security guidelines throughout the program.