NY State Senate Bill 2019-S6052C

Senate Bill S6052C

2019-2020 Legislative Session

Authorizes the commissioner of transportation to conduct a comprehensive study on designation of certain roads for the purposes of future autonomous vehicle technology testing

download bill text pdf

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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Actions

View Actions

	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Dec 28, 2020	committed to rules
Jun 09, 2020	amended on third reading 6052c
Mar 10, 2020	advanced to third reading
Mar 04, 2020	2nd report cal.
Mar 03, 2020	1st report cal.570
Jan 08, 2020	referred to transportation
Jun 20, 2019	committed to rules
Jun 17, 2019	amended on third reading 6052b
Jun 13, 2019	amended on third reading (t) 6052a
Jun 04, 2019	advanced to third reading
Jun 03, 2019	2nd report cal.
May 30, 2019	1st report cal.1083
May 16, 2019	referred to transportation

Votes

- Mar 3, 2020 - Transportation Committee Vote
  S6052C
  
  15
  
  Aye
  
  0
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Transportation Committee Vote: Mar 3, 2020
      
      aye (15)
      
      Benjamin
      
      Borrello
      
      Carlucci
      
      Gallivan
      
      Kaminsky
      
      Kaplan
      
      Kennedy
      
      Liu
      
      O'Mara
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Robach
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Skoufis
  May 30, 2019 - Transportation Committee Vote
  S6052C
  
  14
  
  Aye
  
  1
  
  Nay
  
  0
  
  Aye with Reservations
  
  0
  
  Absent
  
  0
  
  Excused
  
  0
  
  Abstained
  - - Transportation Committee Vote: May 30, 2019
      
      aye (14)
      
      Benjamin
      
      Carlucci
      
      Gallivan
      
      Jacobs
      
      Kaminsky
      
      Kaplan
      
      Kennedy
      
      Liu
      
      Persaud
      
      Ramos
      
      Ranzenhofer
      
      Robach
      
      Sepúlveda
      
      Skoufis
      
      nay (1)
      
      O'Mara

Bill Amendments

Original

C (Active)

2019-S6052 - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Transportation

2019-S6052 - Summary

Authorizes the commissioner of transportation to conduct a comprehensive study on designation of private roads on the University at Buffalo North Campus and public roads in the town of Amherst for the purposes of autonomous vehicle technology testing.

2019-S6052 - Sponsor Memo

2019-S6052 - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6052
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 16, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
 
 AN ACT authorizing the  commissioner  of  transportation  to  conduct  a
   comprehensive  study on designation of private roads on the University
   at Buffalo North Campus for the purposes of autonomous  vehicle  tech-
   nology testing
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative intent. The  legislature  recognizes  that  the
 safety  and  mobility of all citizens is of utmost concern to the State.
 That autonomous vehicle technology possesses the capability of  increas-
 ing  pedestrian  and passenger safety, reduce traffic and congestion and
 improve the movement of goods and services across the  state.  That  the
 majority  of  motor  vehicle accidents are due to human error and auton-
 omous vehicle technology may possess the ability to  eliminate  some  of
 these  motor  vehicle  accidents.  That autonomous vehicle technology is
 unproven and requires greater testing and the State of  New  York  is  a
 testbed  for innovation that balances the safety and needs of its public
 against the need for technological advancement.
   The legislature also recognizes that the University at Buffalo has the
 legal authority to test autonomous vehicle technology on  certain  roads
 that  have  been  determined  to  be private and therefore not under the
 jurisdiction of the New York State  Department  of  Motor  Vehicles  for
 autonomous  vehicle  technology testing approval. In addition to testing
 on these private roads, University at Buffalo may also  test  autonomous
 vehicle  technology in its parking lots, which are defined separately in
 the law, and also are outside of New  York  State  Department  of  Motor
 Vehicles jurisdiction.
   In order to increase the routes available on the University at Buffalo
 North  Campus  for  autonomous  vehicle  technology testing the New York
 State Department of Transportation has the knowledge  and  expertise  to

  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD11862-01-9

 S. 6052                             2
 
 review  traffic  flow  on  the roadways within the University at Buffalo
 North Campus to identify roads that  could  be  deemed  private  without
 impacting  existing  traffic  conditions in and around the University at
 Buffalo North Campus.
   §  2. For the purposes of this act, the term "autonomous vehicle tech-
 nology" shall mean the hardware and software that are collectively capa-
 ble of performing part or all of the dynamic driving task on a sustained
 basis, and the term "dynamic driving task" shall mean all of  the  real-
 time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle in
 on-road traffic, excluding the strategic functions such as trip schedul-
 ing and selection of destinations and waypoints.
   §  3. The department of transportation shall undertake a comprehensive
 study on designation of private roads on the University at Buffalo North
 Campus for the purposes of autonomous vehicle  technology  testing.  The
 scope of this study shall include:
   1. Review of existing traffic patterns in and around the University at
 Buffalo North Campus;
   2.  Determination  of  the mobility needs of the University at Buffalo
 students, faculty and staff;
   3. Recommendations for which roads within the  University  at  Buffalo
 North  Campus  would  provide the greatest benefit to autonomous vehicle
 technology testing and  cause  the  least  effect  on  existing  traffic
 patterns in and around the University at Buffalo North Campus; and
   4. Methodology to transfer recommended roads to private roads.
   §  4.  The  department  of  transportation  shall make a report to the
 governor and the legislature of its findings, conclusions and  recommen-
 dations  no later than one year after the effective date of this act and
 shall submit with this report such legislative  proposals  as  it  deems
 necessary to implement its recommendations.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S6052A - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Transportation

2019-S6052A - Summary

2019-S6052A - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S6052A

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act authorizing the commissioner of transportation
to conduct a comprehensive study on designation of private roads on the
University at Buffalo North Campus and public roads in the town of
Amherst for the purposes of autonomous vehicle technology testing

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To study the traffic flow of roads around the University at Buffalo
North Campus for the capability of autonomous vehicle technology test-
ing.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 sets forth the legislative intent

Section 2 defines "autonomous vehicle technology" for the purposes of
this act

Section 3 directs DOT to undertake a comprehensive study as well as
establishes the scope of said study, including the creation of three
testing zones in the town of Amherst. Subsection two of section three
authorizes the Erie County Sheriff, University at Buffalo Campus Police
and Town of Amherst Police to supervise autonomous vehicle testing.
Subsection four of section three establishes that insurance requirements
for fleets during testing are in line with current requirements
prescribed in the vehicle and traffic law

Section 4 directs the DOT to issue a report to the governor and legisla-
ture of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations no later than six
months after the effective date of this act. Moreover, it directs DOT to
promulgate the necessary regulations relating to section three of this
act no later than ninety days after delivering its report

Section 5 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

With the rise of autonomous vehicle technology, the University at
Buffalo has been on the cutting edge of testing the capabilities of
various autonomous vehicles in development. However, autonomous vehicles
tested at the University at Buffalo are currently limited on which road-
ways testing can occur on, to private roads and parking lots.  By having
the New York State DOT study the traffic flows on roadways around the
University at Buffalo's North Campus, date and information will be gath-
ered on what additional roadways can be used for such testing, giving
the University at Buffalo additional options for testing this emerging
technology.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

2019-S6052A - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6052--A
     Cal. No. 1083
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 16, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported
   favorably from said committee, ordered to  first  and  second  report,
   ordered  to  a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining
   its place in the order of third reading

 AN ACT authorizing the  commissioner  of  transportation  to  conduct  a
   comprehensive  study on designation of private roads on the University
   at Buffalo North Campus and public roads in the town  of  Amherst  for
   the purposes of autonomous vehicle technology testing
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative intent. The  legislature  recognizes  that  the
 safety  and  mobility of all citizens is of utmost concern to the State.
 That autonomous vehicle technology possesses the capability of  increas-
 ing  pedestrian  and passenger safety, reduce traffic and congestion and
 improve the movement of goods and services across the  state.  That  the
 majority  of  motor  vehicle accidents are due to human error and auton-
 omous vehicle technology may possess the ability to  eliminate  some  of
 these  motor  vehicle  accidents.  That autonomous vehicle technology is
 unproven and requires greater testing and the State of  New  York  is  a
 testbed  for innovation that balances the safety and needs of its public
 against the need for technological advancement.
   The legislature also recognizes that the University at Buffalo has the
 legal authority to test autonomous vehicle technology on  certain  roads
 that  have  been  determined  to  be private and therefore not under the
 jurisdiction of the New York State  Department  of  Motor  Vehicles  for
 autonomous  vehicle  technology testing approval. In addition to testing
 on these private roads, University at Buffalo may also  test  autonomous
 vehicle  technology in its parking lots, which are defined separately in
 the law, and also are outside of New  York  State  Department  of  Motor
 Vehicles jurisdiction.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11862-02-9

 S. 6052--A                          2
 
   In order to increase the routes available on the University at Buffalo
 North  Campus  for  autonomous  vehicle  technology testing the New York
 State Department of Transportation has the knowledge  and  expertise  to
 review  traffic  flow  on  the roadways within the University at Buffalo
 North  Campus  to  identify  roads  that could be deemed private without
 impacting existing traffic conditions in and around  the  University  at
 Buffalo North Campus.
   §  2. For the purposes of this act, the term "autonomous vehicle tech-
 nology" shall mean the hardware and software that are collectively capa-
 ble of performing part or all of the dynamic driving task on a sustained
 basis, and the term "dynamic driving task" shall mean all of  the  real-
 time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle in
 on-road traffic, excluding the strategic functions such as trip schedul-
 ing and selection of destinations and waypoints.
   §  3. The department of transportation shall undertake a comprehensive
 study on designation of roads on the University at Buffalo North  Campus
 and  in the town of Amherst for the purposes of autonomous vehicle tech-
 nology testing. The scope of this study shall include:
   1. The creation of three testing zones in  the  town  of  Amherst,  in
 which  the  department shall publish regulations relating to testing and
 safety:
   (a) Zone one--Flint Road between Service Center Road  and  John  James
 Audubon  Parkway;  John  James  Audubon  Parkway  between Flint Road and
 Service Center Road on the University at Buffalo Campus;
   (b) Zone two--Flint Road Loop;  Augsberger  Road  between  Putnam  Way
 North,  and  Hadley Road; Putnam Way North between Hadley Road and Augs-
 berger Road; Hadley Road between Augsberger Road and Putnam Way North;
   (c) Zone three--John James Audubon Parkway  Northbound  between  Flint
 Road  and  Lee  Road; John James Audubon Parkway Southbound, between Lee
 Road and Flint Road; Lee Road between John  James  Audubon  Parkway  and
 White  Drive; White Drive between Lee Road and Hamilton Road; and Hamil-
 ton Road from John James Audubon Parkway to Putnam Road North;
   2. Authority of the Erie County Sheriff, University at Buffalo  Campus
 Police, and Town of Amherst Police to supervise autonomous vehicle tech-
 nology testing;
   3. Allowing for installation of smart sensors and necessary technology
 to implement autonomous vehicle technology testing; and
   4.  Determining  insurance  requirements  for fleets during testing in
 line with current requirements prescribed in  the  vehicle  and  traffic
 law.
   §  4.  The  department  of  transportation  shall make a report to the
 governor and the legislature of its findings, conclusions and  recommen-
 dations  no  later  than six months after the effective date of this act
 and shall promulgate the necessary regulations relating to section three
 of this act no later than ninety days after delivering its report.
   § 5. This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S6052B - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Transportation

2019-S6052B - Summary

2019-S6052B - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S6052B

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act authorizing the commissioner of transportation
to conduct a comprehensive study on designation of private roads on the
University at Buffalo North Campus and public roads in the town of
Amherst for the purposes of autonomous vehicle technology testing

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To study the traffic flow of roads around the University at Buffalo
North Campus for the capability of autonomous vehicle technology test-
ing.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 sets forth the legislative intent

Section 2 defines "autonomous vehicle technology" for the purposes of
this act

Section 3 directs DOT to undertake a comprehensive study as well as
establishes the scope of said study, including the creation of three
testing zones in the town of Amherst. Subsection two of section three
authorizes the Erie County Sheriff, University at Buffalo Campus Police
and Town of Amherst Police to supervise autonomous vehicle testing.
Subsection four of section three establishes that insurance requirements
for fleets during testing are in line with current requirements
prescribed in the vehicle and traffic law

Section 4 directs the DOT to issue a report to the governor and legisla-
ture of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations no later than six
months after the effective date of this act.  Moreover, it directs DOT
to promulgate the necessary regulations relating to section three of
this act no later than ninety days after delivering its report

Section 5 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

With the rise of autonomous vehicle technology, the University at
Buffalo has been on the cutting edge of testing the capabilities of
various autonomous vehicles in development. However, autonomous vehicles
tested at the University at Buffalo are currently limited on which road-
ways testing can occur on, to private roads and parking lots. By having
the New York State DOT study the traffic flows on roadways around the
University at Buffalo's North Campus, date and information will be gath-
ered on what additional roadways can be used for such testing, giving
the University at Buffalo additional options for testing this emerging
technology.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

2019-S6052B - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6052--B
     Cal. No. 1083
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 16, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported
   favorably from said committee, ordered to  first  and  second  report,
   ordered  to  a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining
   its place in the order of third reading -- again amended  and  ordered
   reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
 
 AN  ACT  authorizing  the  commissioner  of  transportation to conduct a
   comprehensive study on designation of private roads on the  University
   at  Buffalo  North  Campus and public roads in the town of Amherst for
   the purposes of autonomous vehicle technology testing
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Legislative  intent.  The legislature recognizes that the
 safety and mobility of all citizens is of utmost concern to  the  state;
 that  autonomous vehicle technology possesses the capability of increas-
 ing pedestrian and passenger safety, reduce traffic and  congestion  and
 improve  the  movement  of goods and services across the state; that the
 majority of motor vehicle accidents are due to human  error  and  auton-
 omous  vehicle  technology  may possess the ability to eliminate some of
 these motor vehicle accidents; that  autonomous  vehicle  technology  is
 unproven  and  requires  greater  testing and the State of New York is a
 testbed for innovation that balances the safety and needs of its  public
 against the need for technological advancement.
   The legislature also recognizes that the University at Buffalo has the
 legal  authority  to test autonomous vehicle technology on certain roads
 that have been determined to be private  and  therefore  not  under  the
 jurisdiction  of  the  New  York  State Department of Motor Vehicles for
 autonomous vehicle technology testing approval. In addition  to  testing
 on  these  private roads, the University at Buffalo may also test auton-
 omous vehicle technology in its parking lots, which  are  defined  sepa-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.

                                                            LBD11862-04-9

 S. 6052--B                          2
 
 rately in the law, and are outside of New York State Department of Motor
 Vehicles jurisdiction.
   In order to increase the routes available on the University at Buffalo
 North  Campus for autonomous vehicle technology testing, the legislature
 recognizes that the New York State Department of Transportation has  the
 knowledge  and  expertise  to review traffic flow on the roadways within
 the University at Buffalo North Campus, and to identify roads that could
 be deemed private without impacting existing traffic conditions  in  and
 around the University at Buffalo North Campus.
   §  2. For the purposes of this act, the term "autonomous vehicle tech-
 nology" shall mean the hardware and software that are collectively capa-
 ble of performing part or all of the dynamic driving task on a sustained
 basis, and the term "dynamic driving task" shall mean all of  the  real-
 time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle in
 on-road traffic, excluding the strategic functions such as trip schedul-
 ing and selection of destinations and waypoints.
   §  3. The department of transportation shall undertake a comprehensive
 study on designation of roads on the University at Buffalo North  Campus
 and  in the town of Amherst for the purposes of autonomous vehicle tech-
 nology testing. The study shall include:
   1. The creation of three testing zones in the town of  Amherst,  about
 which  the  department shall publish regulations relating to testing and
 safety:
   (a) Zone one--Flint Road between Service Center Road  and  John  James
 Audubon  Parkway;  John  James  Audubon  Parkway  between Flint Road and
 Service Center Road on the University at Buffalo Campus;
   (b) Zone two--Flint Road Loop;  Augsberger  Road  between  Putnam  Way
 North,  and  Hadley Road; Putnam Way North between Hadley Road and Augs-
 berger Road; Hadley Road between Augsberger Road and Putnam Way North;
   (c) Zone three--John James Audubon Parkway  Northbound  between  Flint
 Road  and  Lee  Road; John James Audubon Parkway Southbound, between Lee
 Road and Flint Road; Lee Road between John  James  Audubon  Parkway  and
 White  Drive; White Drive between Lee Road and Hamilton Road; and Hamil-
 ton Road from John James Audubon Parkway to Putnam Road North;
   2.   The installation of smart  sensors  or  other  technology  deemed
 necessary  for the implementation of autonomous vehicle technology test-
 ing; and
   3. Compliance with the insurance requirements for fleets during  test-
 ing  in  line  with  current  requirements prescribed in the vehicle and
 traffic law.
   § 4. The Erie County Sheriff, University at Buffalo Campus Police, and
 Town of Amherst Police shall have the authority to supervise  autonomous
 vehicle technology testing as described in section three of this act.
   §  5.  The  department  of  transportation  shall make a report to the
 governor and the legislature of its findings, conclusions and  recommen-
 dations  no  later  than six months after the effective date of this act
 and shall promulgate the necessary regulations relating to section three
 of this act no later than ninety days after delivering its report.
   § 6. This act shall take effect immediately.

2019-S6052C (ACTIVE) - Details

Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Transportation

2019-S6052C (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S6052C (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S6052c

SPONSOR: KENNEDY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act authorizing the commissioner of transportation to conduct a
comprehensive study on designation of private roads on the University at
Buffalo North Campus and public roads in the town of Amherst for the
purposes of future autonomous vehicle technology testing

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To study the traffic flow of roads around the University at Buffalo
North Campus for the capability of autonomous vehicle technology test-
ing.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 sets forth the legislative intent

Section 2 defines "autonomous vehicle technology" for the purposes of

this act

Section 3 directs DOT to undertake a comprehensive study as well as
establishes the scope of said study, including the creation of three
testing zones in the town of Amherst. Subsection two of section three
authorizes the Erie County Sheriff, University at Buffalo Campus Police
and Town of Amherst Police to supervise autonomous vehicle testing.
Subsection four of section three establishes that insurance requirements
for fleets during testing are in line with current requirements
prescribed in the vehicle and traffic law

Section 4 Limits autonomous vehicle testing within set zones during the
completion of the study

Section 5 authorizes DOT to review the ability of local law enforcement
to supervise autonomous vehicles.

Section 6 requires DOT to submit a report no later than six months after
the effective date.

Section 7 sets the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

With the rise of autonomous vehicle technology, the University at
Buffalo has been on the cutting edge of testing the capabilities of
various autonomous vehicles in development. However, autonomous vehicles
tested at the University at Buffalo are currently limited on which road-
ways testing can occur on, to private roads and parking lots. By having
the New York State DOT study the traffic flows on roadways around the
University at Buffalo's North Campus, date and information will be gath-
ered on what additional roadways can be used for such testing, giving
the University at Buffalo additional options for testing this emerging
technology.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately

2019-S6052C (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6052--C
     Cal. No. 570
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 16, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation -- reported
   favorably from said committee, ordered to  first  and  second  report,
   ordered  to  a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining
   its place in the order of third reading -- again amended  and  ordered
   reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- recom-
   mitted  to  the  Committee on Transportation in accordance with Senate
   Rule 6, sec. 8 -- reported favorably from said committee,  ordered  to
   first  and  second  report,  ordered  to  a third reading, amended and
   ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
 
 AN ACT authorizing the  commissioner  of  transportation  to  conduct  a
   comprehensive  study on designation of private roads on the University
   at Buffalo North Campus and public roads in the town  of  Amherst  for
   the purposes of future autonomous vehicle technology testing
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature  finds  that  automated
 vehicle technology offers widely anticipated and revolutionary potential
 for  the  transportation sector.   Among the unprecedented opportunities
 offered by this technology are inclusive  mobility  options  to  benefit
 disadvantaged,  disabled and elderly residents; congestion and emissions
 mitigation; improved livable land use;  and  improved  road  usage.  The
 legislature  also  recognizes  that  autonomous  vehicle  technology  is
 unproven and requires greater testing and the State of  New  York  is  a
 testbed  for innovation that balances the safety and needs of its public
 against the need for technological advancement.
   The legislature also recognizes that the University at Buffalo has the
 legal authority to test autonomous vehicle technology on  certain  roads
 that  have  been  determined  to  be private and therefore not under the
 jurisdiction of the New York State  Department  of  Motor  Vehicles  for
 autonomous  vehicle  technology testing approval. In addition to testing
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD11862-09-0

 S. 6052--C                          2
 
 on these private roads, the University at Buffalo may also  test  auton-
 omous  vehicle  technology  in its parking lots, which are defined sepa-
 rately in the law, and are outside of New York State Department of Motor
 Vehicles jurisdiction.
   In order to increase the routes available on the University at Buffalo
 North  Campus  for  future  autonomous  vehicle  technology testing, the
 legislature recognizes that the New York State Department of Transporta-
 tion has the knowledge and expertise to review traffic flow on the road-
 ways within the University at Buffalo  North  Campus,  and  to  identify
 roads  that  could  be deemed private without impacting existing traffic
 conditions in and around the University at Buffalo North Campus.
   § 2. For the purposes of this act, the term "autonomous vehicle  tech-
 nology" shall mean the hardware and software that are collectively capa-
 ble of performing part or all of the dynamic driving task on a sustained
 basis,  and  the term "dynamic driving task" shall mean all of the real-
 time operational and tactical functions required to operate a vehicle in
 on-road traffic, excluding the strategic functions such as trip schedul-
 ing and selection of destinations and waypoints.
   § 3. The department of transportation shall undertake a  comprehensive
 study  on designation of roads on the University at Buffalo North Campus
 and in the town of Amherst for the purposes of future autonomous vehicle
 technology testing. The study shall include:
   1. The creation of three future testing zones in the town of  Amherst,
 about  which the department shall publish regulations relating to future
 testing and safety:
   (a) Zone one--Flint Road between Service Center Road  and  John  James
 Audubon  Parkway;  John  James  Audubon  Parkway  between Flint Road and
 Service Center Road on the University at Buffalo Campus;
   (b) Zone two--Flint Road Loop;  Augsberger  Road  between  Putnam  Way
 North,  and  Hadley Road; Putnam Way North between Hadley Road and Augs-
 berger Road; Hadley Road between Augsberger Road and Putnam Way North;
   (c) Zone three--John James Audubon Parkway  Northbound  between  Flint
 Road  and  Lee  Road; John James Audubon Parkway Southbound, between Lee
 Road and Flint Road; Lee Road between John  James  Audubon  Parkway  and
 White  Drive; White Drive between Lee Road and Hamilton Road; and Hamil-
 ton Road from John James Audubon Parkway to Putnam Road North;
   2. The installation of smart sensors or other technology deemed neces-
 sary for the implementation  of  future  autonomous  vehicle  technology
 testing; and
   3.  Guidelines  for  compliance  with  the  insurance requirements for
 fleets  during  future  testing,  in  line  with  current   requirements
 prescribed in the vehicle and traffic law.
   §  4. At no time shall any testing of autonomous vehicle technology be
 conducted in the testing zones defined in  section  three  of  this  act
 during completion of this study.
   §  5.  As  part  of  the study, the department of transportation shall
 review the ability of the Erie County  sheriff,  University  at  Buffalo
 campus  police, and Town of Amherst police to supervise autonomous vehi-
 cle technology testing as described in section three of this act.
   § 6. The department of transportation  shall  make  a  report  to  the
 governor  and the legislature of its findings, conclusions and recommen-
 dations no later than six months after the effective date of this act.
   § 7. This act shall take effect immediately.

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