Chapter 15C. Personal Delivery Device Pilot Program.

§ 50–1551. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) "Central Business District" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 9901.1 of Title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (18 DCMR § 9901.1).

(2) "Crosswalk" means that part of a roadway at an intersection included within the lateral lines connecting sidewalks on opposite sides of the roadway.

(3) "DDOT" means the District Department of Transportation.

(4) "Director" means the Director of the District Department of Transportation.

(5) "Operator" means a person who has the ability to control the operations of a PDD through the use of remote control technology.

(6) "PDD" means a device powered by an electric motor, for use primarily on sidewalks, capable of:

(A) Transporting items with or without an operator directly controlling the device;

(B) Identifying and yielding to:

(i) Pedestrians;

(ii) Bicyclists;

(iii) Other lawful users of public space; and

(iv) Property;

(D) Interpreting traffic signals and signs at crosswalks.

(7) "Pedestrian" means any person afoot or who is using a wheelchair.

(8) "Public thoroughfare" means any street, road, alley, or paved public space that is under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia.

§ 50–1552. Establishment of a personal delivery device pilot program.

DDOT shall implement a pilot program, effective September 15, 2016, through December 31, 2017, for the registration and operation of PDDs in the District. A person or entity registered under this pilot program is authorized to operate up to 5 PDDs in the District in accordance with § 50-1555.

§ 50–1553. Application.

To register for the pilot program established in § 50-1552, the applicant shall submit an application to the Director including:

(1) The applicant's legal name, business address, telephone number, and e-mail address;

(2) A certification by the applicant that:

(A) Each PDD is safe to operate on sidewalks, crosswalks, and public thoroughfares interconnected to sidewalks and crosswalks;

(B) Each PDD will comply with the requirements and limitations provided in § 50-1555;

(D) The person signing the application has reviewed it and determined that the information provided is true and accurate; and

(E) The person signing the application is authorized to sign and file the application;

(3) The proposed geographic locations within the District where the applicant intends to operate the PDDs; and

(4) A nonrefundable fee of $250.

§ 50–1554. Registration and revocation.

(a) An applicant who submits a complete application to the Director in accordance with § 50-1553 shall be registered for the pilot program within 15 calendar days of submission.

(b) A registration for the pilot program shall be valid for one year from the date of registration, or until December 31, 2017, whichever is first.

(c) A registrant shall notify the Director within 15 calendar days of any change in the information on the pilot program application as submitted.

(d) The Director may revoke a registration for the pilot program if the Director determines that the registrant has violated a provision of this chapter.

§ 50–1555. Personal delivery device operation.

(a) Except within the Central Business District, a PDD that is registered under § 50-1554 and complies with subsection (b) of this section may operate on sidewalks and crosswalks under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia, and transitorily on public thoroughfares interconnected to sidewalks and crosswalks.

(b) To operate in the District, a PDD shall:

(1) Be operated in a safe and non-hazardous manner so as not to endanger:

(A) Pedestrians;

(B) Bicyclists;

(D) Property;

(2) Not operate above 10 miles per hour;

(3) Have a gross weight of less than 50 pounds, excluding cargo;

(4) Not interfere with pedestrian or bicycle traffic;

(5) Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on a roadway upon entering a crosswalk to the extent necessary to safely cross the roadway, except when crossing pursuant to a crosswalk pedestrian signal;

(6) Have a system that alerts the operator if a technology failure or loss of communication occurs, and when such an alert is given, that:

(A) Requires the operator to assume direct control of the PDD; and

(B) If the operator is unable to assume control of the device, causes the PDD to safely come to an off-roadway stop; and

(7) Obey all traffic and pedestrian control signals and signs.

(c) In the case of a technology failure or other circumstance that causes the PDD to come to a stop in a location other than property owned by the owner of the PDD, the owner of the PDD shall remove the PDD within 24 hours.