Autonomous vehicle technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, and while there is promise in how this technology can be utilized, the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles in heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks poses its own unique safety risks that we must address proactively. Public trust in the safety of these vehicles must be absolute.

For this reason, I will soon introduce legislation to require any vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or greater that utilizes an automated driving system to be operated with a licensed driver present in the vehicle. Under this legislation, fully autonomous vehicles could not be operated in public transportation without human supervision.

Public transportation is too important to put in the hands of an autonomous vehicle. The consequences of a technological mishap in an autonomous public transportation vehicle could be particularly catastrophic, as these vehicles carry larger volumes of passengers and operate in highly populated areas of our communities.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to keep Pennsylvanians safe in our public transit systems.