Crash Protocol - Safe Testing of Automated Driving Systems

Part three of Safe Testing of Automated Driving Systems on Public Ways in Massachusetts

Crash Protocol process steps

• Notify Police [Test Entity]: Test entity notifies police if necessary, assists at crash scene if safe to do so, exchanges vehicle ownership and insurance info with other vehicle(s) and property owner(s) as needed.
• Notify MassDOT and Testing Jurisdictions [Test Entity]: As soon as feasible (within 12 hours) test entity must call at least one point of contact at MassDOT and in the jurisdiction of testing. If crash occurs on EDIC, test entity should call City of Boston, EDIC, and MassDOT. If crash occurs on Massport roads, test entity should call Massport, City of Boston, and MassDOT. If crash occurs on MassDOT roadway then the test entity should call MassDOT.
• Determination of Crash Type/Response [MassDOT, Law Enforcement, Test Entity]: MassDOT will work with responding law enforcement agency and test entity as necessary to collect relevant information as quickly as possible following the crash to determine crash type (major/minor crash). If a Police Crash Report is filed, MassDOT will receive and evaluate the Report in its determination. Major Crash qualifiers include: any motor vehicle involved is disabled and towed from the scene; or any operator, occupant, or non-motorist is fatally injured or suspected to have a serious injury; or any non-motorist is suspected to have a minor or possible injury; or the Test Driver is suspected by law enforcement of alcohol or drug use; or the crash is related to a school bus or work zone.
  • Minor Crash: If determined to be a minor crash in which the test entity vehicle may be at fault, MassDOT or any Participant may request that the Applicant involved in the crash temporarily suspend testing activities for up to 72 hours as necessary. MassDOT may require test entity to complete a Crash Response Form. Test entity prepares and files RMV state crash report within 5 days of crash.
  • Major Crash: If determined by MassDOT or the test entity to be a major crash, the test entity will suspend testing in MA immediately. MassDOT or any Participant may request that all other Applicants temporarily suspend testing activities for up to 72 hours as necessary. Test entity will submit crash report, crash response form, and participate in an in-person meeting with participants. MassDOT may require changes to the Applicant’s Testing Plan and/or ODD, and the Applicant may not resume testing on public ways unless and until a Letter of Approval is re-issued by MassDOT.
  • Crashes in Conventional Operation: In the event of a crash during conventional operation of a Test Vehicle on Massachusetts public ways which was immediately preceded by testing and the vehicle never came to rest following such testing, the Applicant must for purposes of the Crash Protocol consider such a crash to have occurred during testing. In the event of a major crash during conventional operation of a Test Vehicle on Massachusetts public ways, MassDOT may still request that the Applicant complete a Crash Response Form.
• Designate Point of Contact for Media [MassDOT]: The MassDOT Communications Department will manage and facilitate engagement with media/press on behalf of the public entities involved.
• Engage with NTSB [MassDOT, Law Enforcement, Test Jurisdiction]: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may investigate crashes involving ADS-equipped vehicles. In the event the NTSB initiates a crash investigation, MassDOT, state and/or local law enforcement, and the jurisdiction in which the crash occurred should seek to join the NTSB investigation as parties. In this instance, the NTSB will manage and facilitate engagement with media.
• Request for Data Recorder Information [MassDOT, Law Enforcement]: MassDOT or investigating law enforcement agencies may request that the Applicant voluntarily provide crash data from the vehicle’s automated driving systems data recorder.
• Crash Response Form [Test Entity]: A Crash Response Form or similar letter must be prepared within 10 business days following the submission of a Crash Report and as required by the Crash Protocol. The information submitted in response to the Form will be a public record and will be made publicly available online.
  • Requires a copy of the Crash Report, or a narrative of the crash including the time, location, type of roadway, weather conditions, and description of the event.
  • Requires a summary of the driving data collected by the vehicle, including but not limited to a timeline of the AV’s speed, brake activation, system state, and test driver interventions.
    • to the autonomous test vehicle's hardware systems
    • to the autonomous test vehicle's software systems
    • to the Organization's Training and Operations Protocol, and other detail sections of the Application to Test Autonomous Vehicles as necessary