Automated transport of cargo or goods.

22LSO-0157
2022
STATE OF WYOMING
22LSO-0157
Numbered
2.0

SENATE FILE NO. SF0017

Automated transport of cargo or goods.

Sponsored by: Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Committee

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to regulation of traffic; regulating the operation of personal delivery devices; preempting inconsistent local regulation; providing definitions; making the provisions part of the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 31
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5
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1801 through 31
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5
‑
1807 are created to read:

ARTICLE 18
PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICES

31
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5
‑
1801.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this article:

(i)

"Agent" means a director, officer, employee or other individual authorized to act on behalf of a business entity;

(ii)

"Pedestrian area" includes a sidewalk, crosswalk, school crosswalk, school zone or safety zone;

(iii)

"Personal delivery device" means a ground
‑
based device that:

(A)

Is used for transporting cargo and goods in a pedestrian area or other area as provided in W.S. 31
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5
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1804;

(B)

Is equipped with automated driving technology, including software and hardware, that enables
the operation of the device with the remote support and supervision of a human; and

(C)

Does not exceed five hundred fifty (550) pounds excluding cargo and goods.

31
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5
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1802.

Device operation; applicable traffic laws.

(a)

A personal delivery device operated under this article shall:

(i)

Operate in a manner that complies with:

(A)

The provisions of this title applicable to pedestrians, unless the provision cannot by its nature apply to the device; and

(B)

The provisions of this article.

(ii)

Yield or not obstruct the right
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of
‑
way to all other traffic, including pedestrians;

(iii)

Not unreasonably interfere with other traffic, including pedestrians;

(iv)

Be marked and equipped as required by W.S. 31
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5
‑
1805(a) and if operated at nighttime, display the lights required by W.S. 31
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5
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1805(b);

(v)

Comply with any applicable regulations adopted by a local authority that are not inconsistent with this article;

(vi)

Not transport hazardous materials regulated under the federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. §§ 5101 et seq.) unless placarded under 49 C.F.R part 172 subpart F; and

(vii)

Be operated, monitored and controlled as provided by W.S. 31
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5
‑
1803.

(b)

A personal delivery device operated in compliance with this article is not considered to be a vehicle and is
not subject to titling and registration requirements under this title.

31
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5
‑
1803.

Operator of a personal delivery device.

(a)

A personal delivery device shall only be operated by an individual pursuant to this subsection. An individual may operate a personal delivery device under this article only if the individual is:

(i)

An agent of a business entity;

(ii)

A human; and

(iii)

Capable of monitoring or exercising remote physical control over the navigation and operation of the device.

(b)

Except as provided by subsection (c) of this section, when a personal delivery device is being operated, the business entity that the agent represents is considered to be the operator of the device for the purpose of
liability and assessing compliance with applicable traffic laws.

(c)

When an agent operates a personal delivery device in a manner that is outside the scope of the agent's office or employment, the agent is considered to be the operator of the device for the purpose of liability and assessing compliance with applicable traffic laws.

(d)

An individual is not considered to be the operator of a personal delivery device solely because the individual requests a delivery or service provided by the device.

31
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5
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1804.

Areas of operation.

(a)

A personal delivery device operated under this article shall only be operated:

(i)

In a pedestrian area at speeds not to exceed twelve (12) miles per hour; or

(ii)

In an area that is not a pedestrian area on the shoulder of a street or highway proceeding in the same direction as motor vehicles at speeds not to exceed twenty (20) miles per hour.

(b)

A personal delivery device operated under this article shall not be operated on an interstate highway.

31
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5
‑
1805.

Personal delivery device equipment.

(a)

A personal delivery device operated under this article shall at a minimum be equipped with:

(i)

A marker that clearly states the name and contact information of the business entity owner and a unique identification number;

(ii)

A braking system that enables the device to come to a controlled stop.

(b)

A personal delivery device operated under this article at nighttime shall be equipped with lights on the
front and rear of the device that are visible and recognizable under normal atmospheric conditions on all sides of the device from one (1) to five hundred (500) feet from the device when the light is directly in front of lawful lower beams of motor vehicle headlamps.

31
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5
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1806.

Local regulation.

A local authority shall not regulate the operation of a personal delivery device on a street or highway or in a pedestrian area in a manner inconsistent with this article, including limiting the hours of operation or areas of operation. This section does not affect the authority of a local authority's peace officers to enforce the laws of this state relating to the operation of a personal delivery device.

31
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5
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1807.

Insurance.

A business entity that operates one (1) or more personal delivery devices in this state under this article shall maintain an insurance policy that includes general
liability coverage of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) in any one (1) accident for damages arising from the operation of the device.

Section 2.

W.S.

31
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5
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102(a)(lix) is amended to read:

31
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5
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102.

Definitions.

(a)

Except as otherwise provided, as used in this act:

(lix)

"This act" means W.S. 31
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5
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101 through 31
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5
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1601
and 31
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5
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1801 through 31
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5
‑
1807
;

Section 3
.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution
.

(END)

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SF0017