Section 229-800-3 - Application ProcessA.Who Can Apply: Testers may apply for a permit to test an ADS-Equipped Vehicle under these Rules.B.Application: Prospective Testers who wish to apply for a permit must complete and submit an application to the Commission. The application can be found on the Commission on Autonomous Vehicle webpage on the Maine Department of Transportation website. In developing its recommendations to the Executive Council, the Commission will require information from the prospective Tester as follows: 1.Tester/Applicant Informationc. Mailing address (if different from address)d. Principal point-of-contact for testing (lead person)e. Physical presence in the state of Maine or elsewhere f. Evidence of the financial capacity of the Tester. Applicants must have financial resources sufficient to develop, launch and sustain a Pilot Project, and to adjust to any changes in conditions that occur or steps that may be necessary to conduct and complete the project.2.Safety Driver Information (List All Applicable Employees, Contractors, and Designees)c. State or country issuedd. Background check, including driving recorde. Description of safety training3.Vehicle Information (List All Applicable Test Vehicles)c. VIN or, if not available, a Manufacturer Certificate of Origine. Proof of current registrationf. Current motor vehicle inspection date Note: The State of Maine recognizes the registration, title, and plate issued by another titling jurisdiction for purposes of testing.
4.Description of Prospective Pilot Project:a. Purpose, including transportation needs it will address and aspects of the ADS that are being tested b. Description of the ODD including: i. Geographic boundaries (geo-fencing). i. Time of day (daytime, nighttime).iii. Road typologies and speeds (functional classification, single or multiple lanes, minimum and maximum operating speeds).iv. Situational constraints (construction and active work or school zones, signalized intersections, unprotected left turns, non-signalized crosswalks, rotaries and roundabouts, areas where pedestrians tend to cross non-channelized, other).c. Identification of any partners in the development and operation of the Pilot Project (e.g., municipalities, other governmental entities, or other public institutions).d. Proposed time frame and duration of the Pilot Project.e. Proposed routes and specific roadways of the Pilot Project.f. Characterization of the type of fallback (e.g., natural human Operator in the vehicle, a natural human Operator controlling the vehicle remotely, or other type of administrator of a fully automated driving system).g. Explanation of whether a natural human Operator will be present in the vehicle, and if not, why a human presence is not necessary.h. Description of how the Tester (and partner entities, if applicable) will reach out to and educate members of the public about safety around ADS-Equipped Vehicles.5.Safety and Risk Mitigation:a. A detailed account of the safety record, including any crash history and subsequent fixes, of the ADS-Equipped Vehicle intended to be used in Pilot Project and associated ADS prior to commencement of the Pilot Project in Maine.b. A description of public safety precautions that will be taken during the Pilot Project to ensure the safety of the public.c. A description of any previous Pilot Projects or live implementation of the Pilot Project vehicle and associated ADS, noting any difficulties identified or encountered in any prior activities.d. A detailed description of a first responder interaction plan addressing how state, county or municipal law enforcement officials and emergency response personnel will be informed and educated about the Pilot Project, including instructions about how to proceed if unsafe or obstructive conditions occur. A description on how first responders can disable the vehicle in an emergency must be included.e. In lieu of the requirement of sections 5(a) through 5(d), above, a Tester may submit with the application a copy of its Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment as submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.6.Insurance: Tester must demonstrate financial ability to satisfy a judgment for damages for personal injury or property damage of at least five million dollars per occurrence. This requirement may be met by submitting to the Commission proof of liability insurance, self-insurance or a surety bond of at least five million dollars for damages by reason of personal injury, death or property damage caused by a fully autonomous vehicle.7. Data Collection: Description of what data will be collected, how it will be used, how privacy will be protected, and how security will be maintained, including customer feedback in the conduct of the Pilot Project and crash data.8.Partnership with Municipalities, Other Government Entities, or Other Public Institutions: Municipalities, other government entities, or other public institutions may wish to partner with a Tester to conduct a Pilot Project within local jurisdictions or realms of authority. In such cases, the Tester and partner entity(ies) must enter into a multi-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to confirm and memorialize a commitment of support from appropriate local elected officials or appropriate authorities from other partner entities. A copy of the MOU shall be included with the application.9.Submittal of the Application: The application shall be submitted to the Chief Engineer of Maine DOT at 16 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0016 or submitted electronically through the Maine Department of Transportation Website. The Chief Engineer will send back a notice of the date the application is considered complete or request additional information as needed. Once the application is complete, the Commission will review the application.17-229 C.M.R. ch. 800, § 3