(a) Operation of on-demand driverless capable vehicle network.

1. (1) A person may operate an on-demand driverless capable vehicle network in the state.
2. (2) An on-demand driverless capable vehicle network may connect a passenger or goods to a fully autonomous vehicle either exclusively or as part of a digital network that also connects passengers or goods to human drivers who provide transportation services in vehicles that are not fully autonomous vehicles.

(c) After completion of the first six (6) months of the autonomous vehicle program, an application may be submitted to the State Highway Commission to remove the requirement of a human operator to be physically present in the vehicle while it is operating on the streets and highways of this state providing the following information:

1. (1) A copy of the approved application for the autonomous vehicle program;
2. (2) Total number of trips accomplished;
3. (3) Total number of miles traveled;
4. (4) Total number of times a disengagement of the autonomous mode occurred; and
5. (5) A copy of all law enforcement accident reports that have involved an autonomous vehicle operating under the autonomous vehicle program or a statement that no accidents have occurred that involved an autonomous vehicle operating under the autonomous vehicle program.

(e) Upon approval of an autonomous vehicle program that does not require a human operator to be physically present in the vehicle, a person may operate autonomous vehicles or fully autonomous vehicles that are not equipped with the following:

1. (1) Seat belts, unless transporting persons as required by Arkansas Code § 27-37-701 et seq.;
2. (2) A steering wheel; and
3. (3) A rearview mirror.

(f) If a vehicle operating under an autonomous vehicle program is involved in a serious injury or fatal accident, the following actions will be taken:

1. (1) The person responsible for the autonomous vehicle program will notify the Director of State Highways and Transportation immediately;
2. (2) All vehicles operating under the autonomous vehicle program will cease operations until a review of the accident can be completed;

3. (3) The person responsible for the autonomous vehicle program will submit the following to the director:

   1. (A) A copy of the accident report;
   2. (B) A report of actions taken by the human operator that was physically located within the vehicle or actions taken by the human operator that was remotely located or a statement that no actions were taken by a human operator;
   3. (C) A description of actions taken to prevent subsequent accidents; and
   4. (D) A request to restart operations of the autonomous vehicle program, if the person responsible for the autonomous vehicle program desires to do so; and
4. (4) The review, approval, or denial of the application to restart the autonomous vehicle program will be handled as noted in 27 CAR § 115-104.