Contra Costa Transportation Authority & EasyMile Autonomous Vehicle Pilot

California’s Department of Motor Vehicles passed this legislation to allow the testing of autonomous vehicles without a driver. It also authorized the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to conduct a pilot project in partnership with Bishop Ranch business community, autonomous technology company EasyMile, and Concord, California’s GoMentum Station. The project allows the testing of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAV) without a steering wheel, brake pedal, accelerator, driver’s seat or driver in specified locations at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California to address first/last mile issues for Bishop Ranch employees. EasyMile’s fully electric shuttles are equipped with GPS, LIDAR, and safety sensors and cost approximately $250,000 each. The SAVs are required to operate at a maximum speed of no more than 35 miles per hour. The bill also requires the authority, private entity, or combination of either, to obtain and submit the proper proof of insurance in the amount of $5 million to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles prior to the start of any SAV testing on public roads. The legislation states the disclosure of personal information and use of data to participants of the SAV pilot is necessary from the involved operator and allows the Department of Motor Vehicles to collect safety data for evaluating the SAVs.

Updated April 2017