Code of Maine Rules › 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION › 229 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - GENERAL › Chapter 800 - AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE PILOT PROGRAM RULES › Section 229-800-5 - Suspension or Revocation of Authorization to Conduct a Pilot Project

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
In accordance with the Resolve, the Commissioner of
				  Transportation may immediately suspend or revoke a permit previously conferred
				  to a Tester to conduct testing of an ADS if the Commissioner of Transportation,
				  in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Secretary of
				  State, determines that testing poses a risk to public safety or that the
				  operator or Tester has failed to comply with the requirements as established by
				  rule adopted pursuant to subsection 2 of the Resolve.
A.
Reinstatement of Testing
				Authorization:
Upon the suspension or revocation of a permit, the Tester
				shall be entitled to request reinstatement. The Tester must establish to the
				Executive Council's satisfaction that it has taken appropriate action to
				correct any deficiencies that caused the suspension or revocation or that the
				Tester can provide evidence that the ADS was not at fault. Upon such evidence,
				the Executive Council will consider reinstatement of the permit.
B.
Temporarily Restricting
				Testing
: The Commissioner of Transportation reserves the right to
				request that Testers temporarily cease or restrict testing on select traffic
				ways or statewide during certain circumstances. The Commission shall notify
				Testers, with as much notice as practicable, about how, where, and when testing
				should cease or be restricted. To the extent practicable, the Commission shall
				contact all applicable Testers to explain the reasons for the restriction prior
				to issuance and will consider any specific proposals from Testers to continue
				safe operations during the restriction period. When ADS testing is no longer
				prohibited on a trafficway, the Commission shall notify the Testers within one
				(1) business day by telephone or email.
C.
Emergencies:
Emergencies
				include, but are not limited, to extreme weather and declared emergencies.
				During emergencies, ADS testing will be prohibited only if there are active
				restrictions for other classes of vehicles.
D.
Special Events:
Special
				events, include, but are not limited to, dignitary visits, major
				conventions/summits, and superload movements. The Commission will temporarily
				prohibit or restrict testing only for special events with potential dynamic
				closures and/or safety/security concerns. The Commission shall provide at least
				one (1) day's notice to the Tester. To the extent possible, the Commission
				shall attempt to provide three to five (3 to 5) days' notice. Notice shall be
				provided by email and telephone.
E.
Safety Restrictions:
Safety restrictions, include, but are not
				limited, to the following:
a. The Tester may
				not operate in complex and/or irregular work zones.
b. The Tester may not operate in a local
				municipality, city, or operating agency that has requested a temporary
				prohibition or restriction on the testing of an ADS for emergencies, special
				events or safety concerns, as defined above by contacting the Commissioner of
				Transportation or his designee. The Commission shall consider the request, and
				if the Commission determines that the requested prohibition or restriction is
				necessary and justified to address a safety concern, the Commission will notify
				the ADS Tester within the applicable window of time stated in Sections 7(B)
				-(D).
c. The Tester may not allow
				an ADS-Equipped Vehicle to be driven by an operator who. has been convicted or
				charged with a violation of one of the offenses listed in
				29-A M.R.S.
				§2551(1) (A).
The above restrictions in (a) and (b) do not apply
				  toADS-Equipped Vehicles being manually operated by the safety
				  driver.