(a) General rule.--The department shall be the lead Commonwealth agency on platooning.
(b) Exception.--Nonlead vehicles in a platoon shall not be subject to section 3310 (relating to following too closely).
(c) Visual identifier.--Each vehicle in a platoon shall be marked with a visual identifier on the power unit. The department, after consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, shall establish the criteria and placement of the visual identifier.
(d) Restrictions.--A platoon shall observe the following restrictions:
(1) A maximum of three vehicles shall be in a platoon.
(2) Vehicles in a platoon shall travel only on limited-access highways or interstate highways, unless otherwise permitted by the department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable.
(3) The department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable under paragraph (2), may restrict vehicle movement under this section for operational or safety reasons, including emergency conditions.
(4) Except as provided under paragraph (5), a driver shall be in each vehicle of a platoon.
(5) Consistent with applicable Federal or State law and regulations, the lead vehicle may operate with a driver and one nonlead vehicle may operate with an ADS engaged with or without a driver.
(e) Plan for general platoon operations.--
(1) A person may operate a platoon on a highway of this Commonwealth if the person files a plan for general platoon operations with the department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable.
(2) If the plan is not approved, rejected or additional information requested by the department within 30 days after receipt of the plan, the plan shall be deemed approved and the person may operate the platoon.
Cross References. Section 8532 is referred to in section 8504 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 85 - Highly Automated Vehicles
Section 8502 - Highly automated vehicles
Section 8503 - Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee
Section 8504 - Certificate of compliance required
Section 8505 - Powers of department
Section 8506 - Self-certification
Section 8507 - Self-certification review
Section 8508 - Operation requirements
Section 8509 - Commercial operation
Section 8510 - Local governance
Section 8510.1 - Enforcement and penalties
Section 8510.2 - Regulations and guidelines
Section 8510.3 - Confidential records
Section 8510.5 - Interstate agreements
Section 8512 - General prohibition
Section 8513 - Powers of department
Section 8515 - Authorization issuance and renewal
Section 8517 - Local regulation
Section 8519 - Insurance and liability
Section 8521 - Criminal penalties
Section 8522 - Application of title