The Nevada Transportation Authority unanimously approved applications from Tesla Robotaxi, LLC, Waymo LLC and Aviari Services, LLC to operate as Autonomous Vehicle Network Companies.
The NTA says the approvals authorize each company to provide paid passenger transportation in fully autonomous vehicles within Clark County, subject to the operational design domain and other conditions approved by the Authority.
The approved geographic area includes the Harry Reid International Airport, however, companies will not be allowed to service the airport without first obtaining the necessary authorization from the Clark County Department of Aviation.
Under the approved orders, Tesla is authorized for a fleet of up to 5,000 fully autonomous vehicles during the first 12 months following issuance of its permit. Waymo and Aviari are each authorized for up to 1,000 fully autonomous vehicles during their respective first 12 months.
The NTA says the companies must provide vehicle inspection documentation, maintain required insurance, submit applicable rates before offering transportation to the public, provide information regarding their customer-facing applications for regulatory review, and comply with applicable requirements concerning accessibility, nondiscrimination, receipts and reporting.
The permits also require the companies to report crashes (pursuant to NRS 706B.260) and other events as required by law, maintain inspection (subject to NRS 706B.220), maintenance and repair records subject to (NRS 706B.220), and operate only within the scope of authority granted by the NTA. The orders provide that operations must commence within 120 days after the permits are issued and that the companies may not provide transportation services until the applicable requirements have been satisfied.
Commissioners also required that each applicant provide first responders within their service area a 24-hour emergency contact.
“Nevada has established a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle network companies that is intended to provide a clear process for innovation while maintaining regulatory oversight,” said Nevada Department of Business and Industry Director Kristopher Sanchez. “As autonomous vehicle technology continues to develop and these companies scale up their operations, I support the NTA’s commitment to evaluate the existing regulatory framework and make adjustments when appropriate to ensure that the safety of the traveling public remains a central consideration.”
(Nevada Transportation Authority contributed to this report.)
