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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of public transit vehicles equipped with |
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connected braking systems. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 545.0621 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.0621. FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC |
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TRANSIT VEHICLES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Automated motor vehicle" has the meaning assigned |
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by Section 545.451. |
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(2) "Connected braking system" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 545.062(d). |
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(3) "Public transit vehicle" means a bus or other |
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vehicle, including an automated motor vehicle, used to provide |
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transit services to the public by: |
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(A) a political subdivision of this state; or |
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(B) a private entity operating under a contract |
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with a political subdivision of this state. |
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(b) Sections 545.062(b), (c), and (d) do not apply to an |
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operator of a public transit vehicle that is following one or more |
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other public transit vehicles if: |
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(1) the vehicles are equipped with a connected braking |
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system; and |
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(2) the speed of each vehicle is automatically |
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coordinated through the connected braking system. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 545.457 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.457. FOLLOWING DISTANCE FOR CERTAIN AUTOMATED |
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MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Connected braking system" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 545.062(d). |
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(2) "Public transit vehicle" has the meaning assigned |
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by Section 545.0621. |
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(b) This section applies only to an automated motor vehicle |
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that is a public transit vehicle. |
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(c) Notwithstanding Section 545.062, an automated motor |
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vehicle equipped with a connected braking system that is following |
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another automated motor vehicle equipped with that system may be |
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assisted by the system to maintain any desired distance between the |
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vehicles. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |