Monthly Archives: April 2017

Loophole in a State's Ride Share Law Allows Sex Offenders to Be Drivers.

A loophole in New York’s statewide ride share law allows Level 1 sex offenders to be ride share drivers.

The loophole is triggered by this statutory reference: U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website. Any person listed on this website cannot serve as a driver. However, this list does not include level 1 sex offenders.

A bill has been filed to close this loophole.

News 12 Long Island | Loophole could allow sex offenders to work for Uber, Lyft

 

TREND. Data Security Standards for Motor Vehicles. Self Driving Cars. Autonomous Vehicles.

Are there data security regulations on cars?  Not so much

Is there any group proposing regulations? Yes, National Institute of Standards and Technology, a nonregulatory agency under the Department of Commerce

The Hill | Cyber official: Feds, companies need better dialogue on security of self-driving cars

Ahead of the TREND. Regulating Flying Cars. 8 Pieces of Intel.

The litany of regulatory questions for regulating flying cars:

  • Who can operate one?
  • How many passengers are allowed inside?
  • Can flying cars fly over roads?
  • What kinds of safety measures must be included, and critically, can the vehicles be manufactured for commercial use? 
  • Are they treated like drones?
  • Are they ultralight aircrafts?
  • What are the safety standards?
  • Can they be used commercially?

It is a new frontier with no regulations.

The Recorder | Who Will Regulate Flying Cars?

3 Reasons Ride Share Opposes a Ride Share Bill in Montpelier. Read the Bill.

The Vermont Senate added amendments to a ride share bill that turned a ride share cindustry bill into a bill that is opposed by ride share. 

What amendments were added to derail ride share?

  • Triple insurance liability requirements between rides
  • increased backgroudn checks
  • Annual registration requirements
  • 5 year grandfather protection for Burlington’s ride share ordinance

AP via Witchita Eagle | Uber, Lyft opposing Vermont bill

Burlington Free Press | Uber tries to sink Vt. bill about…

Lege Trend. Heavier Loads on Trucks. 5 Reasons Industry Supports it.

SB 1524 allows for heavier loads on big trucks when:

  • $5000 annual permit is purchased
  • traveling on a dwsignated corridor
  • within 30 miles of a port of entry/border

Supporters say:

  • anticipated 500,000 TEU increase in annual containerized exports of plastic resin
  • $100 Billion in new or expanded plant capacity along Texas coast
  • the rise in plastic resin is due to cheap natural gas feedstock
  • American Chemistry COuncil warned that without allowing for larger loads would harm the economic…

State Legalizes Self Driving Cars in its Budget. 3 Key Points.

State: New York

How did New York manage to legalize self driving cars in a budget:

  • waives the prohibition on driverless cars
  • allows a 1 year testing program of self-driving and self-parking vehicles
  • requires direct supervision of the New York State Police
  • minimum of $5 million in insurance coverage
  • state motor vehicle commissioner to submit a study by June 1, 2018, focusing on:
    • safety
    • traffic control
    • traffic enforcement
    • other impacts of autonomous vehicle testing

The Governor…

Local Government Trend. Self Driving Car Initiative. 3 Pieces of Intel to Know Now.

  • Portland launched an inititiative to bring self driving cars to its fine city
  • The mayor says it will lower traffic fatalities and improve congrestion
  • Local streets must be regulated by local agencies that know the streets best.

Portland Bureau of Transportation | Portland Launches Smart Autonomous Vehicles Initiative (SAVI)

KATU | Portland launches self-driving car initiative, wants pilot program by end of year

Local Gov. Trend: Public Private Partnerships in Airports.

City: St. Louis

Public Private Partnership Proposal: to lease its airport to a qualified airport manager backed by private infrastructure funds

Benefits of the P3 for Airports:

  • Cities can produce resources without adverse budget or ratepayer impact
  • Allows a broader allocation of resources when cities are starved for infrastructure investment

Governing | A Way to Unlock the Value of an Airport