Massachusetts, Boston Establish Plan to Test Self-Driving Cars

BOSTON, MA – State and city leaders are establishing a framework for testing autonomous vehicles in the Commonwealth and in Boston, guidelines meant to develop related infrastructure and ensure safety, including one early prohibition: self-driving cars must have a human inside while traveling.

Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh both signed executive orders Thursday meant to accelerate the state's ability to test-drive autonomous cars.

In Boston, Walsh's order empowers the city's transportation commissioner, Gina Fiandaca, and its transportation department to oversee the newly established Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, which will develop guidelines for testing autonomous vehicles in Boston.

The newly formed also will also develop policy recommendations on autonomous vehicles, street regulations and more, "putting a strong preference on models which are operated as shared and electric fleets that complement mass transit, walking and bicycling."

Driverless Cars Could Be Coming to Boston Streets, Thanks to New Partnership

"Autonomous vehicles have the incredible promise to deliver safer streets and a more reliable, equitable and sustainable transportation system, but that will only occur with the right technology and right policies in place," Walsh said in a press release. "For that reason, Boston is ready to lead the charge on self-driving vehicles, supporting the development of the technology and policies that ensure this innovation will benefit all of our residents."

At the state level, Baker issued an executive order of his own, creating a working group tasked with lining up experts on vehicle safety/automation, working with legislators on state regulations and other related laws, and developing the rules under which companies must seek approval if they want to work with the state Department of Transportation, Massachusetts municipalities, or state agencies to test out self-driving cars.

Those guidelines will include the following: an application which demonstrates the vehicle to be tested has passed a Registry of Motor Vehicles inspection; can be operated without undue risk to public safety; and at all times will have a human being inside the vehicle while it is traveling.

“The Commonwealth is home to many world-class innovation companies and academic institutions intimately involved in autonomous vehicle technology, which makes Massachusetts uniquely qualified to responsibly host this emerging field to foster innovation and economic growth,” said Governor Baker. “The guidance the AV Working Group provides will be instrumental in ensuring companies can further develop autonomous vehicle technology in the Commonwealth and do so while maintaining the safety of our roadways.”

Photo by Bryn Pinzgauer, Flickr/Creative Commons