The proposal, S4702, approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Nov. 10 and now before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, would create a five-year pilot program requiring three years of on-road testing with a human driver in the vehicle.
The delay was criticized by advocates for blind individuals and by a company that operates autonomous ride services in other U.S. cities.
Critics say the mandate would block access to technology already in use elsewhere, including in New York, where Waymo began testing in August.
Residents of some New Jersey cities have already seen Waymo vehicles mapping their streets in preparation for testing autonomous ride share vehicles, but those are tests for New York City.
While New York City’s testing phase is still underway, New Jersey lawmakers are considering legislation that would mandate a five-year program, including three years of on-road testing with a human driver in the vehicle.
The bill, approved by the Senate Transportation Committee on Nov. 10, now heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, where changes could be made. It would have to be passed by the full Senate and Assembly and signed by the governor to become law.
The proposed timeline drew sharp criticism during emotional testimony from Linda Melendez, president of the National Federation of the Blind’s New Jersey chapter, who called it an unnecessary delay and a barrier to mobility for blind individuals and others with physical limitations.
“The benefits will increase independence and mobility of the blind and low vision people to travel independently without relying on others,” she said. “The bill adds an unnecessary barrier by requiring live pilot testing of technology in use in other states.”
Melendez said autonomous vehicle technology would serve as an equalizer and provide 24/7 service without the limitations of public transit or other schedules.
“I had problems coming here. If I had an autonomous vehicle I wouldn’t have had problems,” she said to the senate transportation committee. “I’d like to ask, have you or anyone you know been denied a ride because they were disabled?”
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman John Diegnan, D-Middlesex, hinted that Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-Middlesex, the bill’s sponsor, was considering changes.
“He’s moving in that direction,” Diegnan told Melendez.
Waymo officials unsuccessfully argued, thus far, to have the bill amended to have the on-board driver requirement waived.
“We would encourage amending this bill to include a more comprehensive approach to authorizing fully autonomous vehicles, rather than mandating a driver requirement for the next five years,” said Matt Walsh, Waymo Regional Head of State and Local Public Policy.
“We do not want to see New Jersey lose out on the safety, sustainability, and accessibility benefits that Waymo and other autonomous vehicle companies can bring for the next half-decade,” he said.
Walsh cited 25 other states that have laws allowing autonomous operating and five major cities where Waymo is offering 250,000 fully driverless paid trips per week.
He said the company plans to launch more service in other cities including Miami, Dallas, Denver, Washington DC, Nashville and San Diego.
“We believe the intent of this bill is not in line with the reality of where the autonomous vehicle industry is today, and as written, this bill would unfortunately put New Jersey out of scope for Waymo for the next five years,” he said.
Zwicker said in a statement that New Jersey’s proposed program would build off of years of that autonomous vehicle research.
“New Jersey has the opportunity to lead the nation in developing safe and efficient autonomous vehicle technology that will revolutionize how we travel,” he said.
Waymo vehicles have been mapping Hoboken, Jersey City and part of Newark Airport in “manual mode with a human driver behind wheel,” Walsh said.
However, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association supported the bill as a balance between innovation and consumer protection with “common sense safeguards,” said Jack Ramirez, NJBIA Director of Research.
The bill, as currently written, would establish a pilot program to be overseen by a seven-member task force, including representatives from an autonomous vehicle developer. Members will be appointed by the state Motor Vehicle Commission.
Autonomous vehicles used as taxis would be required to operate on designated highways, be marked as fully autonomous and continuously monitored through data reporting. The vehicles would also be required to have communication systems for emergency overrides by authorities.
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