Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 8532 - Platooning(a) General rule.--The department shall be the lead Commonwealth agency on platooning.(b) Exception.--Nonlead vehicles in a platoon shall not be subject to section 3310 (relating to following too closely).(c) Visual identifier.--Each vehicle in a platoon shall be marked with a visual identifier on the power unit. The department, after consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, shall establish the criteria and placement of the visual identifier.(d) Restrictions.--A platoon shall observe the following restrictions: (1) A maximum of three vehicles shall be in a platoon.(2) Vehicles in a platoon shall travel only on limited-access highways or interstate highways, unless otherwise permitted by the department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable.(3) The department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable under paragraph (2), may restrict vehicle movement under this section for operational or safety reasons, including emergency conditions.(4) Except as provided under paragraph (5), a driver shall be in each vehicle of a platoon.(5) Consistent with applicable Federal or State law and regulations, the lead vehicle may operate with a driver and one nonlead vehicle may operate with an ADS engaged with or without a driver.(e) Plan for general platoon operations.-- (1) A person may operate a platoon on a highway of this Commonwealth if the person files a plan for general platoon operations with the department, in consultation with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable.(2) If the plan is not approved, rejected or additional information requested by the department within 30 days after receipt of the plan, the plan shall be deemed approved and the person may operate the platoon.Added by P.L. TBD 2022 No. 130, § 10, eff. 7/3/2023.