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Title:
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Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 9-76 by adding new Section 9-76-240 to prohibit operation of autonomous vehicles on roadways
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Topic:
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MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENTS - Title 9 - Vehicles, Traffic & Rail Transportation - Ch. 72 Size & Weight Limits
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ORDINANCE '
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is a home rule unit of government pursuant to the 1970 Illinois Constitution, Article VII, Section 6 (a); and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to its home rule power, the City of Chicago may exercise any power and perfonn any function relating to its government and affairs including the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, Autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars, are vehicles equipped with automation technologies; and
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WHEREAS, We are nearing the point at which the widespread deployment of autonomous vehicles is feasible; and
WHEREAS, On May 7, Joshua Brown was killed after his vehicle, which was equipped with partial automation technologies, crashed into a tractor-trailer after its Autopilot technology failed to recognize the tractor-trailer crossing its path; and
WHEREAS, There are currently no rules or regulations in place in the State of Illinois or the City of Chicago to promote the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roadways; and
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Chicago intends to prohibit the operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads; now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
SECTION 1. Chapter 9-76 of the Municipal Code of Chicago is hereby amended by adding a new section 9-76-240, as follows:
9-76-240 Autonomous vehicles - prohibited.
No person shall operate an autonomous vehicle upon any roadway.
As used in this section:
"Autonomous technology" means technology that has the capability to drive a vehicle without the active physical control or monitoring by a human operator.
"Autonomous vehicle" means any vehicle equipped with autonomous technology that has been integrated into that vehicle. . An autonomous vehicle does not include a vehicle that is equipped with one or more collision avoidance systems, including, but not limited to, electronic blind spot assistance, automated emergency braking systems, park assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, traffic jam and queuing assist, or other similar systems that enhance safety or provide driver assistance, but are not capable, collectively or singularly, of driving the vehicle without the active control or monitoring of a human operator.
"Operate" means to ride in or on, other than as a passenger, use or control in any manner the operation of any motorized vehicle.
"Operator" means the person who is seated in the driver's seat of an autonomous vehicle, or if there is no person in the driver's seat, causes the autonomous technology to engage.
(c) Any operator who violates this section shall be fined $500.00 for each offense.
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon passage and publication.