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INTERIM Trend: Self Driving Car Regulation. 1 State Started Regulation and Statutes in 2012. Everything you need to Know.

California Department of Motor Vehicles has been wokring on rules for self driving cars since 2012. Here’s everything you need to know to be informed:

  • California DMV has a self driving car manufacturer & testing website 
  • California is in the public input portion of rule making, on schedule to beat the feds on rules
  • What did California do by statute? defintions and rule making. The defintions:
    • “Autonomous technology” means technology that has the capability to drive a vehicle without the…

INTERIM. Think Tank Grades Ride Share, Limo & Taxi Regs/Laws in 50 Cities. Mixed bag for TX.

What group is doing the transportation company analysis? R Street  , it has an Austin “office” too

Did they grade by state or city? By City

How did the Texas cities do?

  • On Transportation Network Company Friendliness
    • Austin           A   
    • Dallas           B
    • El Paso         B
    • Ft. Worth       B
    • Houston        D+
    • San Antonio  C
  • On Taxi Friendliness
    • Austin            C
    • Dallas            A
    • El Paso          D
    • Ft. Worth      …

Lege Trend: Sales Tax Break for Car Manufacturers. Bonjour Industrial Tourism & Eco Devo Dollars.

Which state is considering a new sales tax break for car manufacturers? California

What kind of the sales tax break is under consideration? eliminate sales tax on new automobiles manufactured in California for out-of-state buyers

What’s the goal of this bill? industrial tourism– buy a product; see the sights.
 
Is there a sunset time for this tax break? Yes, 2020.
 

Study: Fixing Roads Improves Air Quality. 2 Points to Know Now.

What group issued this report?  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

What roadway maintenance and building options help with air quality?

  • standardized pavement & construction

National Center for Sustainable Transportation | The Role of Life Cycle Assessment in Reducing GHG Emissions from Road Construc on and Maintenance 

 

Sacremento Bee | AM Alert: Could fixing California roads be environmental benefit?

 

INTERIM. Sharing Economy Moves to University. University Saves Infrastructure Costs.

What university is trying its own car share program? The University of Nevada at Reno

What are the program requirements?

  • Any university faculty, student or staff can use the service if over the age of 18
  • Any member of thecommunity can use the service if over the age of 21
  • Designated & convenient  campus parking spots for the cars

What are the goals of the university based car share program?

  • transportation demand management
  • decrease the drive-alone rate to campus
  • delay high cost…

TX Road Funding Trend: Lower Revenues. 3 Points to Know Now.

  • Lower oil prices have resulted in less revenue for transportation.
  • In FY16 Texas severance taxes led to $1.1 billion in transportation funding
    • FY 17 is estimated to be $594 million
    • FY 18 is estimated to be $740 million
  • As for other deposits into the State Highway Fund
    • Sales and use a $2.5B deposit is estimated in 2018
    • Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes is estimated to be $375 million transfer in 2020

Texas Tribune | Falling Oil Prices Leading to Drop in Texas Road Funding

INTERIM Self Driving Cars Want Federal Action. Too Many Pesky States. 5 Quick Points.

Which group is pushing Congress to act over the states? Consumer Technology Association

Why should Congress resgulate self driving cars and not states? “transportation is a national issue”

Even without Congressional action federal regulators will tell the states what to do with new guidelines. Transportation Department & its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will create guidelines for state policymakers to draw on when regulating self-driving cars.

What’s the…