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S 1677

Establishes fully autonomous vehicle pilot program.*

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Gordon Johnson and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a three-year New Jersey pilot allowing fully autonomous vehicles to test and operate under safety, reporting, and infrastructure rules overseen by MVC and DOT.

Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1677

Overview

  • Bill: S 1677
  • Session: 222 (New Jersey)
  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Title: Establishes fully autonomous vehicle pilot program
  • Purpose: Establish a three-year pilot program to authorize and regulate the testing and operation of fully autonomous vehicles (AVs) in New Jersey, with a supervising task force, safety and reporting requirements, and plans for future integration.

Main purpose and intent

  • To create a structured, three-year pilot program allowing autonomous vehicle testers to operate fully autonomous vehicles in New Jersey, including in closed testbeds and open-road environments.
  • To develop safety, regulatory, and infrastructure frameworks for potential broader deployment of AVs in the state.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (section 1): Clarifies terms such as automated driving system, autonomous vehicle, autonomous vehicle tester, fully autonomous vehicle (level 4 or 5 per SAE J3016), open-road/closed testbeds, operational design domain, and other related terms.
  • Pilot program authorization (section 2):
    • Establishes a three-year AV pilot program overseen by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT).
    • AV testers must obtain authorization from the MVC and comply with program requirements to operate in the state.
    • A seven-member task force will oversee the pilot: public safety official, transportation expert, AV developer, auto insurance representative, consumer advocate, and two MVC members. Responsibilities include quarterly status reports, soliciting public feedback, developing response protocols for collisions/cyberattacks/operational disruptions/liability, and coordinating with state police and AG to develop safety guidelines.
    • Testing conditions: testers must ensure an operator is seated in the driver’s seat, monitoring, able to take immediate manual control, trained by the tester, not under the influence, and holding a valid license. Vehicles must be registered with the MVC and carry appropriate liability coverage (minimum $5,000,000 for bodily injury, death, or property damage) and comply with state laws and NHTSA standards. The MVC chief administrator can bar operators/testers if safety is at risk or if requirements are not met.
    • Access to information: testers must provide information to measure pilot performance but may withhold confidential or proprietary data.
  • Vehicle safety and data requirements (section 3):
    • AVs must have redundant safety systems, manual override capability (emergency stop), and indicators when autonomous mode is disengaged.
    • Data recording: must capture 30 seconds before a collision and key operational data (speed, steering, braking, sensor inputs, system failures).
    • Safety features: crash-avoidance systems (pedestrian detection, AEB, lane-keep), compliance with speed limits, artificial noise for pedestrian safety, cybersecurity standards, data encryption, and visible markers identifying the vehicle as autonomous.
  • Collision reporting (section 4):
    • All AV collisions must be reported to the DOT within 48 hours, with relevant data.
  • Testing environments and infrastructure (section 5):
    • DOT to establish new AV testing environments, including closed testbeds and open-road testbeds, and utilize existing environments.
    • DOT to identify funding sources and coordinate with counties/municipalities to deploy smart infrastructure (sensor roads, communication systems, real-time traffic management).
  • Operational rules for AVs in commercial use (section 6):
    • AV taxis: may operate only on designated highways, must be labeled as fully autonomous, require continuous data reporting, and have emergency override communication systems.
    • AV commercial trucks: operate on designated highways with specific speed/weight restrictions; require appropriate operator licensing ensuring ability to manually control if needed.
    • Platooning: allowed for autonomous trucks on highways with a lead vehicle controlled by an operator; synchronized braking/acceleration may permit level 5 automation without a human driver.
  • Final evaluation and sunset (section 7):
    • No later than six months after the three-year pilot ends, MVC must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature evaluating the pilot and recommending safe integration of AVs on state highways.
  • Administrative rulemaking (section 8):
    • MVC, in consultation with DOT, to adopt rules/regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the bill’s purposes.
  • Effective date and expiration (section 9):
    • Act takes effect immediately and expires upon submission of the required evaluation report.

Who/what would be affected

  • Autonomous vehicle testers (AV manufacturers, institutions of higher education, fleet service providers, and automotive tech providers) seeking to test and operate AVs in New Jersey.
  • Operators and testers must comply with licensing, registration, insurance (minimum $5 million), and safety requirements.
  • The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and Department of Transportation, plus a multidisciplinary task force, will oversee the program.
  • General public, including drivers, pedestrians, and local governments, through safety protocols, reporting requirements, and potential future infrastructure investments.
  • Taxis and commercial trucks using AV technology will be subject to designated highway operation, labeling, monitoring, and specific licensing requirements.
  • State police and Attorney General offices will coordinate on safety and security guidelines.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Pilot duration: three years from the program’s start.
  • Reporting: quarterly task force reports to MVC and DOT; post-pilot evaluation report due within six months after the pilot ends.
  • Rulemaking: MVC to adopt implementing regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Post-pilot guidance: the evaluation report is intended to inform potential safe integration policies for broader AV use on state highways.

Notes

  • The bill is currently introduced and pending technical review; sponsors include Sen. Zwicker and Sen. Johnson, with co-sponsorship from Sen. Diegnan.
  • The act would take effect immediately, with expiration tied to the completion of the mandated evaluation report.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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