Motorized Alternative Modes of Transportation December 10, 2010 Transportation Committee Breakfast Phoenix, Arizona
Presentation Outline Motorized Alternative Modes of Transportation Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) Golf carts Mini-Trucks Segways Motor scooters and mopeds
Getting Around Town 25% of all trips are shorter than 1 mile and about 75% of those trips are made by car. Of the 40% of trips that are less than two miles--90% are made by car. AAA's 2010 Edition of "Your Driving Costs" Cost to own and operate Average sedan 4wd SUV 56.6 cents per mile 73.9 cents per mile
Having Choices for Short Trips In response to rising fuel and maintenance costs--people from all around the country have looked to other modes of motorized transportation including, low speed vehicles, golf carts, segways and mopeds. Main Discussion points Street legal? Safe? Semantics?
In 1998 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for Low-speed vehicles. 4 wheels in contact with the ground; Max. attainable speed of 25 mph Equipped with headlamps, front and rear turn lamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, reflectors, an exterior mirror mounted on the driver s side and either a mirror mounted on the passenger side or an interior mirror, a parking brake, a windshield that conforms to the standards, a vehicle identification number and seat belts. NATIONAL CONFERENCE Low Speed Vehicles
Low Speed Vehicles LSVs are exempt from most federal safety standards that apply to motor vehicles, and they are not required to meet any criteria for vehicle crashworthiness. States are responsible for regulating the operation LSVs on public roads and for handling LSV titling and registration. The Energy Department estimates there are 45,000 LSVs on US roads
Low Speed Vehicles LSVs were meant for low-risk, lowspeed, controlled environments or farm use. 46 states restrict use of LSVs to roads with 35 mph speed limits or less. Some municipalities in Alaska and Texas have ordinances that allow for LSVs to be operated on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph.
LSVs: State Law Trends In most states--to operate LSV must have valid driver's license Must register the vehicle Must insure the vehicle As of January 1, 2010, Illinois requires this license plate for LSV with a registration fee of $19.
LSVs: State law Trends 2010--50 bills in 27 states introduced Oregon enacted law requiring the DOT to adopt minimum safety standards for low and medium speed vehicles that meet or exceed federal standards. Before March, 2010, Utah required LSV's be equipped with a speedometer and odometer and braking for each wheel. Legislature repealed that requirement in 2010.
LSVs: Safety Concerns In the U.S., any crashes involving LSVs are classified in the other crash type, which includes a diverse range of vehicles Crash history is unknown Few LSV crashes documented
LSVs: Safety Concerns IIHS published article in May 2010 entitled "Definitely Not Crashworthy" IIHS tested a few brands of LSVs in a side impact collision with a Ford Ranger at 30 mph. Dummy measures suggested severe or fatal injury to a real person. Test with a stationary LSV in a collision with a moving Smart Car (31 mph) "The Smart's front intruded into the LSV s side so much that the belted dummy s head came close to hitting the Smart s windshield."
LSVs: Safety Concerns Picture of a Ford Ranger collision with Mini-truck Picture of a LSV and a Smart car collision
Golf Carts NATIONAL CONFERENCE More Definitions: For the most part--golf Carts are not LSVs. Golf carts that go slower than 20 mph - which are less expensive and the kind most often used on the street - are not LSV's and not regulated by NHTSA.
Golf Carts NATIONAL CONFERENCE Texas Golf Cart Law: TxDMV does not register or title golf carts. Law allows for use slow-moving vehicle emblem in the following situations: *in master planned communities with a uniform set of restrictive covenants in place, *on public or private beaches, *during the daytime and no more than two miles from where the owner usually parks the golf cart and for transportation to or from a golf course, or *to cross intersections, including a road or street that has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
Golf Cart Laws Common theme--state laws differ: Iowa requires operator to have valid driver's license. Colorado and Florida do not allow Golf Carts to be operated by a person under age 14. In North Carolina--municipality MAY require registration by ordinance, specify required equipment, load limits, hours and methods of operation. No person less than 16 years of age may operate a golf cart on a public street, road, or highway.
LSV's and Golf Carts on the same Road Peach Tree City, Georgia Pop. 32,000 people 90 mile network of multiuse paths for pedestrians, cyclists, LSV's and golf carts. Residents can go from their neighborhood to shopping centers, schools, and parks via the path network. Both LSV's and Golf Carts in use--but they have very different rules.
Mini-Trucks NATIONAL CONFERENCE Minitrucks used to haul cargo off-road Not considered when NHTSA made LSV rules. NHTSA amended LSV rules in 2006 to include vehicles with gross weight of up to 3,000 lbs. 4 states have statutes requiring minitrucks to meet NHTSA standards (FL,NE,LA,MN) In a July 2009 NHTSA said that because these vehicles are not manufactured to meet US safety standards, NHTSA cannot endorse their use on public highways.
Mini-trucks NATIONAL CONFERENCE Allows use on specific roads No state law
State Segway Laws Source: Governors Highway Safety Association In most states Segway users follow pedestrian safety rules. 43 States and D.C. have enacted legislation allowing use of Segways on sidewalks. 5 States (CO, CT, MA, ND and WY) have no legislation permitting the use of Segways. 2 States (AR and KY) have no statewide prohibitions but local regulations may exist. 9 states mandate helmet use for certain ages. New Jersey requires helmet use for all ages.
Motor Scooters Definition of motor scooter, moped motor driven cycle is different in every state. N.C. Gen. Stat. 105-164.3 A vehicle that has two or three wheels, no external shifting device, and a motor that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement and cannot propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on a level surface.
Motor scooters Helmet Use Requirements for Motor scooters Helmets required for some or all users Local Ordinances may require helmets No helmets required
Motor Scooters Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey introduced bills in 2010 mandating helmet use for some motor scooter riders. Washington passed a helmet law for motor scooter and moped riders in 2010. North Carolina introduced but did not pass requirement of driver's license when driving a moped.
Conclusion NATIONAL CONFERENCE There are many different motorized alternative modes of transportation. Some modes, must comply with federal, state and local laws, while others do not. Low speed vehicles and mini trucks have laws that permit them in certain cities and on certain roads. If you need any specific information please feel free to contact me.
Contacts for More Information Melissa Savage Program Director -- Environment, Energy and Transportation 202-624-8663 Melissa.savage@ncsl.org Anne Teigen Policy Associate -- Transportation 303-856-1652 Anne.teigen@ncsl.org