Definitions

In this Act: (1) Autonomous vehicle (A) In general The term autonomous vehicle means a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system that is capable of performing the entire dynamic driving task on a sustained basis without any expected involvement by a human driver. (B) Inclusions The term autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle equipped with a Level 4 or Level 5 automated driving system. (2) FMVSS The term FMVSS means a Federal motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under section 30111(a) of title 49, United States Code. (3) SAE International Standard J3016 The term SAE International Standard J3016 means SAE International Recommended Practice entitled Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles, numbered J3016, and dated April 2021 (or a successor standard adopted by the Secretary). (4) SAE terms The terms automated driving system, Level 4, and Level 5 have the meanings given those terms in SAE International Standard J3016. (5) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (6) Volpe 2016 Report The term Volpe 2016 Report means the report of the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center of the Department of Transportation entitled Review of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for Automated Vehicles: Identifying Potential Barriers and Challenges for the Certification of Automated Vehicles Using Existing FMVSS and dated March 2016.