2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 75 - VEHICLES › Chapter 85 - Highly Automated Vehicles › Section 8508 - Operation requirements

§ 8508. Operation requirements.
(a) General rule.--
A certificate holder may operate, subject to the operation requirements of this section, a highly automated vehicle with or without a highly automated vehicle driver on a highway in this Commonwealth.
(b) Driverless operation.--
A highly automated vehicle may operate on a highway without a highly automated vehicle driver, subject to the following:
(1) The ADS must be engaged.
(2) The HAV must be capable of operating in compliance with applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety provisions of this title, unless the exemption has been granted by the department.
(3) If a failure of an ADS occurs which renders the ADS unable to perform the entire DDT within the intended ODD, the highly automated vehicle must achieve a minimal risk condition.
(c) Operation with driver.--
A highly automated vehicle may operate on a highway with a highly automated vehicle driver, subject to the following:
(1) A highly automated vehicle driver may control all or part of a highly automated vehicle's DDT.
(2) If a failure of an ADS renders the ADS unable to perform the entire DDT within the intended ODD, the highly automated vehicle or the highly automated vehicle driver must achieve a minimal risk condition.
(d) Vehicle markings.--
The following shall apply:
(1) When required under Federal law or regulation, a highly automated vehicle shall bear any required manufacturer's certification labels indicating that the highly automated vehicle has been certified to be in compliance with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards, including reference to any exemption granted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
(2) In consultation with the State Police, the department shall establish standards for an external-facing visual identifier for a certificate holder's highly automated vehicle that provides owner, vehicle and financial responsibility information for reportable and nonreportable accidents.
(e) HAV drivers.--
A highly automated vehicle driver shall be properly licensed under this title to operate the appropriate type and class of motor vehicle.
(f) Insurance and liability.--
The following shall apply:
(1) A certificate holder of a highly automated vehicle shall maintain the ability to respond in damages for liability on account of accidents arising out of the maintenance or use of a highly automated vehicle and in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 per accident for death, bodily injury and property damage to a third party. The financial responsibility required under this subsection shall be evidenced by insurance placed with either an insurer that has obtained a certificate of authority under section 208 of the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.789, No.285), known as The Insurance Department Act of 1921, or a surplus lines insurer eligible under section 1605 of the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, or through any other form, including self-insurance, acceptable to and approved by the department, in consultation with the Insurance Department. Financial responsibility satisfying the requirements of this subsection shall be deemed to satisfy the financial responsibility requirements for a motor vehicle under Chapter 17 (relating to financial responsibility).
(2) The financial responsibility under this subsection shall be in addition to any financial responsibility requirements under 66 Pa.C.S. Ch. 26 (relating to transportation network service) or 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 57A (relating to transportation network companies) if a highly automated vehicle provides a transportation network service.
(g) Low-speed HAVs.--
(1) A low-speed HAV may not be operated on a highway with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour, except when:
(i) the low-speed HAV is engaged in a legal crossing of the highway; or
(ii) the low-speed HAV is permitted, by order of the secretary, to be operated on the highway.
(2) A low-speed HAV may not be operated on a freeway.
(3) As used in this subsection, the term "low-speed HAV" shall mean a highly automated vehicle that is in compliance with the Federal safety standards established in 49 CFR 571.500 (relating to Standard No. 500; Low-speed vehicles), including any exemptions by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and designed to be operated without an occupant and used to transport goods. The term does not include a neighborhood electric vehicle and shall be considered by the department as a passenger car or truck for the purposes of title and registration, in accordance with section 1106 (relating to content and effect of certificate of title).
(h) HAV title required.--
A highly automated vehicle may not operate on a highway in this Commonwealth unless the vehicle is titled as a highly automated vehicle in accordance with section 1106 or under the laws or regulations of another jurisdiction of the United States.
(i) Notice.--
A certificate holder shall notify in writing the governing body of the municipality of the intent to operate a highly automated vehicle within the boundaries of the municipality at least 10 days prior to commencing operations.
(Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1946, No.130, eff. 240 days)
2022 Amendment.
Act 130 added section 8508.
Cross References.
Section 8508 is referred to in sections 8505, 8506 of this title.