DC Code § 50-2351 (2021)
2021 District of Columbia Code|Title 50 - Motor and Non-Motor Vehicles and Traffic|Chapter 23A - Autonomous Vehicles|§ 50-2351. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) "Associated autonomous vehicle" means an autonomous vehicle that an autonomous vehicle testing entity identifies in its autonomous vehicle testing permit application pursuant to section 3a, and any subsequent autonomous vehicles approved to operate pursuant to section 3a(f)(1) or permitted by law to operate without subsequent approval. (1A) "Autonomous driving system" means the combination of hardware and software collectively capable of autonomous operation of a motor vehicle on a sustained basis that meets the definition of Levels 3, 4, or 5 of the Society of Automotive Engineers International's Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles, standard J3016. (1B) "Autonomous operation" means the performance of the entire dynamic driving task by an autonomous driving system, beginning upon the performance of the entire dynamic driving task by an autonomous driving system and continuing until the autonomous driving system is disengaged. (1C) "Autonomous vehicle" means a motor vehicle equipped with an autonomous driving system, regardless of whether the vehicle is under autonomous operation. (1D) "AV testing entity" means a person applying for or issued an AV testing permit by the Department. (1E) "AV testing permit" means a permit issued by the Department pursuant to section 3a. (2) Repealed. (2A) "Department" means the District Department of Transportation. (2B) "Director" means the Director of the Department. (2C) "Dynamic driving task" means all of the real-time operational and tactical functions collectively required to operate a vehicle in on-road traffic, including controlling lateral and longitudinal vehicle motion, monitoring the driving environment, executing responses to objects and events, planning vehicle maneuvers, and enhancing vehicle conspicuity. The term "dynamic driving task" shall not include the strategic functions of driving, such as scheduling trips, selecting destinations, and specifying routes. (2D) "Minimal risk condition" means a condition to which a test operator or autonomous driving system brings a vehicle to reduce the risk of a crash when a trip cannot or should not be completed, such as bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. (2E) "Operate" means collectively, the activities performed by a test operator or an autonomous driving system to perform the entire dynamic driving task for an associated autonomous vehicle. (2F) "Operational design domain" means the environmental, geographic, time-of-day, traffic, infrastructure, and other conditions under which an autonomous driving system is specifically designed to function. (3) “Public roadway” means a street, road, or public thoroughfare that allows motor vehicles. (3A) "Remote operator" means an employee, contractor, or other designee of the autonomous testing entity who is not physically present in an associated autonomous vehicle, but is actively monitoring the autonomous operation of the vehicle in real time and is able to operate the vehicle or is able to communicate with occupants of the vehicle. (3B) "Testing" means the operation of an associated autonomous vehicle on public roadways to assess or demonstrate the associated autonomous vehicle's capabilities, including operating an associated autonomous vehicle with occupants other than a test operator. (3C) "Test operator" means an employee, contractor, or other designee of the autonomous vehicle testing entity who engages an autonomous driving system and performs, in real time, part or all of the dynamic driving task. (4) “Traffic control device” means a traffic signal, traffic sign, electronic traffic sign, pavement marking, or other sign, device, or apparatus designed and installed to direct moving traffic.  (Apr. 23, 2013, D.C. Law 19-278, § 2, 60 DCR 2119; Dec. 23, 2020, D.C. Law 23-156, § 2(a), 67 DCR 13048.)  Applicability Applicability of D.C. Law 23-156: § 3 of D.C. Law 23-156 provided that the change made to this section by § 2(a) of D.C. Law 23-156 is subject to the inclusion of the law’s fiscal effect in an approved budget and financial plan. Therefore that amendment has not been implemented.