HF 5098

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/21/2024 02:31pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing an autonomous ditch mowing program;
requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin AUTONOMOUS DITCH MOWERS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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new text begin (b) "Autonomous mower" means a robotic or automated device designed, programmed,
and operated to cut grass or vegetation without the need for human intervention.
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new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of transportation.
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new text begin (d) "Project" means the autonomous ditch mowing pilot project authorized by this section.
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new text begin (e) "Project corridor" means the segment of marked Interstate Highway 35 from the
border with Iowa to the marked Interstate Highway 35E-35W interchange in the city of
Burnsville.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Pilot project. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must conduct an autonomous mowing
pilot project to study and analyze the use of robotics and automation for ditch mowing and
maintenance activities in the trunk highway right-of-way. The commissioner must deploy
the pilot project at multiple locations and at multiple times of the year along the project
corridor based on traffic volume, weather and precipitation conditions, vegetation type and
density, and terrain.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner must use different configurations and types of autonomous mowers
to study the capability for future deployment along the trunk highway system statewide.
Configurations must study different sensors and methods of programming the autonomous
mower to operate safely and navigate obstacles in ditches or other land alongside the project
corridor right-of-way.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner may enter into an agreement with a third-party vendor responsible
for maintenance and operations of the autonomous mowers and the supporting equipment
used in the project.
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new text begin (d) The commissioner must analyze the efficiency and productivity gains from the
operation and deployment of the pilot project along the project corridor. The commissioner
must collect data on the following factors related to the pilot project:
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new text begin (1) the hours of operation for autonomous mowers, including battery life where
applicable;
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new text begin (2) the type of terrain, vegetation, and road segments where autonomous mowers were
used;
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new text begin (3) the most common types of obstacles or obstructions encountered by the autonomous
mowers and the success rate of the mowers safely navigating the obstacles;
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new text begin (4) the types of programmed, predefined routes for cutting grass and vegetation
effectively;
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new text begin (5) the impact on road traffic and delays in the project corridor when autonomous mowers
were deployed versus the delays caused by conventional maintenance activities;
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new text begin (6) a cost benefit analysis compared to traditional mowing methods used by the
Department of Transportation, including the costs of repair and maintenance, fuel,
technology, and labor;
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new text begin (7) the environmental impact of using autonomous mowers compared to traditional
gas-powered methods of mowing; and
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new text begin (8) the safety considerations when deploying autonomous mowers in and alongside the
trunk highway right-of-way.
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new text begin (e) When implementing the pilot project, the commissioner must use adequate signage
to notify road users about the presence of autonomous mowers operating in and alongside
the trunk highway right-of-way.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin (a) By January 15, 2026, the commissioner must submit a report to
the chairs, ranking minority members, and legislative staff of the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over transportation finance and policy on the results of the pilot project.
The report must include:
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new text begin (1) the total cost of the pilot project and information on pilot project expenditures,
including maintenance, labor, equipment, signage, operations, and programming;
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new text begin (2) information on the types and design of autonomous mowers deployed in the project;
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new text begin (3) the number of hours autonomous mowers were in operation along the project corridor;
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new text begin (4) the type of vegetation cut by autonomous mowers and whether certain types of
vegetation posed operational challenges for autonomous mowers;
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new text begin (5) the terrain where the autonomous mowers were deployed and whether certain
environmental limitations affected the mowers' effectiveness in the project corridor;
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new text begin (6) a description of any accidents or incidents involving autonomous mowers;
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new text begin (7) maintenance and operation costs for autonomous mowers;
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new text begin (8) feedback from highway maintenance staff on the use of autonomous mowers;
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new text begin (9) other opportunities for autonomous mowers to be tested and deployed along the trunk
highway system statewide; and
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new text begin (10) recommendations on implementing autonomous mowers as part of the Department
of Transportation's management and maintenance of the trunk highway system and any
legislative changes necessary to deploy the technology in locations beyond the pilot project's
location.
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new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, "legislative staff" means those employees who are
identified in any of the following roles for the legislative committees: committee
administrator, committee legislative assistant, caucus research, fiscal analysis, counsel, or
nonpartisan research.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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