Policy Brief: What is the Legal Framework for Automated Vehicles in Texas?

016533062017PDFTech ReportData collectionIntelligent vehiclesLiabilityPolicy, legislation and regulationPrivacyState lawsVehicle testsHighwaysLawVehicles and EquipmentUnited StatesTexasTexas A&M Transportation InstituteStoeltje, GretchenAntonio, Alexander J.Goodin, GingerTexas A & M University. Transportation Policy Research CenterTexas A&M Transportation InstituteUS Transportation CollectionDuring the 85th Texas Legislature in 2017, Texas enacted a law related to automated vehicles. The bill, SB 2205, creates the legal framework for automated vehicle operation and testing in Texas. Although this law addresses a number of issues that can help to create a legal foundation for the operation of automated vehicles in Texas, several other legal ambiguities remain. This brief identifies and discusses a number of those issues as they apply to automated vehicles, including: (1) The legality of automated vehicles themselves. (2) Whether operators must be present or human. (3) To what extent preemption clauses can override existing authority. (4) Whether human-centric road rules are barriers to AV deployment. (5) Who owns the data that AVs collect or transmit. (6) Whether Texas privacy laws protect driver information. (7) Who is responsible if something goes wrong