States pursue truck platooning rule changes

States across the country continue to take steps to revise rules on the use of autonomous large vehicles, and other changes to accommodate driver-assistive truck platooning technology.

Arkansas recently became the 30th state to allow autonomous vehicles through legislation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Another six states permit testing of affected vehicles that operate without a driver through executive order. Five more states allow autonomous vehicles via legislation and executive order.

The rule changes often require amendments to large vehicles following distance rules.

Advocates say truck platooning saves fuel due to reduced aerodynamic drag, lessen traffic congestion, and improve highway safety. Some supporters acknowledge it works best on relatively flat, divided highways outside of populated areas.

Critics question how automated vehicles and traditional vehicles will interact on roadways. Others doubt whether widespread use of the technology is realistic.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center reports that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations are likely to get in the way of automated technology.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association recognizes that the rapid development of autonomous technology has a lot of potential. However, the Association points out the technology poses challenges as it relates to commercial vehicles and highway safety.

Arkansas

The new Arkansas law revises the state’s existing truck platooning rules.

Since 2017, the state has permitted platooning as long as an actively engaged driver was located in each cab of affected trucks. Trucks in a platoon also are permitted to be within 200 feet of the lead truck.

Previously HB1321, the new law loosens the driver requirement to instead authorize only the lead truck to have a driver in the cab.

California

A California Assembly bill on the move is intended to prevent the use of autonomous trucks on state roadways. Since 2015, the operation of autonomous trucks on state roadways is prohibited. State law, however, allows for testing and operation of autonomous vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds without a driver behind the wheel.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles is considering changes to the ban on autonomous trucks.The Assembly Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance a bill to prohibit the possible rule change.

Specifically, AB316 would prohibit the operation of autonomous vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more from operation for testing purposes, transporting goods, or transporting passengers without a “human safety operator physically present” in the vehicle during operation.

A bill analysis states that AB316 “strikes a balance between technological advancement and the public good. It allows for the testing and further development of autonomous heavy-duty vehicles.

“Companies can continue to test fully driverless technology on private tracks as they work out the bugs and further develop the technology.”

The bill has moved to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee.

Kentucky

One Kentucky House-approved bill would amend the state’s requirement for truck platooning.

The state authorizes truck platooning. The rule excludes the trailing vehicle in the platoon from the state’s 2-second rule for following distance, regardless of speed.

Additionally, a human driver is required to be behind the wheel of a trailing platoon vehicle.

HB135 would authorize only the lead vehicle in the platoon to have a human driver behind the wheel. A requirement is included that trailing vehicles be fully engaged.

The bill is in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Mississippi

One Mississippi bill headed to the governor’s desk would revise truck platooning rules.

State law exempts platooning vehicles from the 300-feet following distance minimum while traveling on divided multi-lane highways in each direction. Platoons would be limited to two trucks.

The state Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety are required to approve any plans for platooning operations.

HB1003 would amend statute to permit operation of platoons of state roadways without a human driver in trailing vehicles.

A requirement is included that affected vehicles must be fully engaged to operate without a human driver behind the wheel.

Missouri

A Missouri Senate bill would authorize self-driving truck operations on roadways around the state.

The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee voted 6-1 on Wednesday, March 22, to advance a bill that would permit a group of individual vehicles to use utilize vehicle-to-vehicle communications to travel uniformly at electronically coordinated speeds.

HB624 also addresses following distances of affected vehicles. State law prohibits large vehicles from following another such vehicle within 300 feet on a highway. The legislation would exempt from the following distance rule non-lead vehicles in platoons.

HB624 awaits further consideration in the Senate.

Tennessee

One Tennessee bill would change the requirements for drivers of commercial vehicles in a platoon.

State law authorizes a person to operate a platoon on state roadways if certain conditions are met, including the requirement the operator behind the wheel of each commercial vehicle in the platoon holds a valid CDL.

SB83 would amend statute to require only the operator behind the wheel of the lead platoon vehicle have an appropriately endorsed CDL.

Changes fail to advance in Illinois and Indiana

One Illinois bill called for prohibiting an operator of an autonomous vehicle from engaging in the transport of interstate commerce or the transporting of passengers, or the transporting of goods, unless a human safety operator is physically present in the autonomous vehicle and has the ability to monitor the vehicle’s performance and intervene if necessary.

Across the state line in Indiana, a failed effort sought to modify autonomous vehicle rules in the state.

Indiana law authorizes automated vehicle platooning to operate “at speeds and following distances that are faster and closer than would be reasonable and prudent without electronic coordination.”

A Senate bill called for expanding statute to specify that a person may not operate an automated vehicle on a highway unless a human operator is physically present in the affected vehicle. LL

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