Governor Signs Bills Allowing Autonomous, Platooning Vehicles in Michigan
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder turned the bills governing autonomous and platooning vehicles into law Dec. 9. Senate Bills 995-997 had been passed overwhelmingly by both houses of Michigan鈥檚 Legislature.
鈥淢ichigan put the world on wheels, and now we are leading the way in transforming the auto industry,鈥 Snyder said, flanked by a Ford Model-T and a self-driving Ford Fusion at the Automotive Hall of Fame Museum. 鈥淲e are becoming the mobility industry, shaped around technology that makes us more aware and safer as we鈥檙e driving. By recognizing that and aligning our state鈥檚 policies as new technology is developed, we will continue as the leader the rest of the world sees as its biggest competition.鈥
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The move was applauded by听Josh Switkes, CEO of Peloton Technology, a developer of connected and automated vehicle systems.
鈥淲ith the signing of this landmark law, Michigan now leads the nation in the rollout of commercial truck platooning,鈥 said Switkes. 鈥淲e are proud to be working with forward-looking state leaders like those in Michigan who prioritize prudent, driver-assistive truck automation systems that will provide strong economic benefits and improve the safe, efficient movement of goods."
Senate Bill 995 allows operation of autonomous vehicles on Michigan roads where previously only testing of these vehicles was permitted. The bill also permits automated vehicle platoons and authorizes on-demand autonomous vehicle networks.
SB 996 outlines specific parameters for entities that wish to offer on-demand autonomous vehicle networks to the public. It is now PA 333. SB 997 recognizes the American Center for Mobility at Willow Run.
Snyder鈥檚 signature also created the Michigan Council on Future Mobility within the state鈥檚 Department of Transportation to make future recommendations on statewide policy in this area.