Senate committee advances bill creating autonomous vehicle pilot program in New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. — Legislation sponsored by state Sens. Andrew Zwicker and Gordon Johnson that would establish a three-year pilot program for fully autonomous vehicles in New Jersey advanced in the Senate Transportation Committee.
The bill, S-1677, would require the New Jersey Department of Transportation, in consultation with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, to create a pilot program allowing testers to operate autonomous vehicles on roadways in the state.
“New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the northeast in developing safe and efficient autonomous vehicle technology that will revolutionize how we travel,” said Senator Zwicker, D-Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset and Hunterdon. “By initiating this program, we will lay the groundwork for massive improvements to our transit infrastructure, building off of years of autonomous vehicle research to improve public safety and expand access to reliable transportation.”
Under the legislation, a nine-member task force would oversee the pilot program. The panel would include representatives from public safety, transportation, the insurance industry, vehicle dealerships, consumer advocacy groups and autonomous vehicle developers, along with officials from the Department of Transportation and Motor Vehicle Commission.
“Autonomous vehicle technology is rapidly advancing, and we must work to ensure that it is safe before its full implementation on our roads,” said Senator Johnson, D-Bergen. “This program establishes strong safeguards and clear oversight measures that will allow the state to responsibly evaluate the technology without risking the safety of our communities.”
The task force would provide monthly reports to state agencies, gather public feedback and assist in developing protocols for autonomous vehicle collisions, cybersecurity incidents and operational disruptions.
The proposal also calls for coordination with New Jersey State Police and the Office of the Attorney General to establish pedestrian and driver safety guidelines.
Under the bill, all autonomous vehicle crashes would be required to be reported to the Department of Transportation within five days.
The legislation also directs the state to establish new autonomous vehicle testing environments, including closed and open-road test areas, and identify funding sources for smart infrastructure such as sensor-equipped roads, communication systems and real-time traffic management technology.
Following the completion of the three-year pilot program, the Department of Transportation would be required to submit a report to the governor and Legislature evaluating the program and recommending strategies for safely integrating autonomous vehicles on state highways.
