Kifowit Measure would Implement Review System for Autonomous Vehicles

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As autonomous vehicles become more common on roadways, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is pushing a plan that would update the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) technical reviews of vehicles to ensure they are safe and street legal before being sold in the state.

“Right now, autonomous vehicles are only subject to standard safety rules that apply to all vehicles,” Kifowit said. “Due to the very real safety concerns with this new technology, I believe it makes sense to develop responsible oversight and regulations on the state level. This technology is on the cutting edge and is increasingly popular in the consumer market, but let’s make sure we’re not putting anyone at risk – including other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Kifowit’s House Bill 2053 would require vehicle manufacturers to monitor and submit information to IDOT before selling any autonomous vehicle. Relevant technical information would identify one of six levels of automation (Level 0: no driving automation; Level 1: driver assistance; Level 2: partial driving automation; Level 3: conditional driving automation; Level 4: high driving automation; and Level 5: full driving automation), as well as test results regarding collision avoidance and detection of all road users. Data would be required to reflect all four seasons, in addition to typical road conditions such as rain, snow, fog, nighttime and other hazardous conditions.

Under the proposal, IDOT would additionally create an Automated Driving Systems Review Committee that would determine the appropriate level of automation and decide whether a vehicle is street legal. This committee would consist of five IDOT department employees with specialties in traffic safety, as well as one representative each from a pedestrian access group, a bicycle advocacy group, a disability advocate group, an equestrian advocacy group and a statewide organization representing motorcycles.

These reviews would be required for updates to hardware and software.

For existing and new vehicles that possess autonomous features, those that are identified as Levels 3, 4 or 5 would be prohibited on public roads until state approval or until autonomous systems are disabled.

Level 2 vehicles, with partial driving automation, would continue to be permitted to be sold and used in Illinois. Owners would be required to submit a report to IDOT each year, prior to vehicle registration renewal, that includes the number of miles driven using the automated system, the total number of miles driven and any collisions that occurred. Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors’ Super Cruise are examples of Level 2.

For more information, please contact Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net.