The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Advisory committee.” The Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee established in section 8503 (relating to Highly Automated Vehicle Advisory Committee).

“Certificate of compliance.” A certificate authorizing the operation of a highly automated vehicle in accordance with Subchapter B¹ (relating to highly automated vehicles).

“DDT fallback.” A response by a highly automated vehicle driver or ADS to either perform a DDT or achieve a minimal-risk condition after occurrence of a DDT performance-relevant system failure or upon an operational design domain exit.

“Dynamic driving task” or “DDT.” Real-time operational and tactical functions required to operate a motor vehicle on a highway, excluding strategic functions such as trip scheduling and selection of destinations and waypoints, and including, without limitation:

“Highly automated work zone vehicle.” A motor vehicle used in an active work zone as implemented by the department or the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, as applicable, for purposes related to the active work zone that is:

“Minimal risk condition.” A stable, stopped condition to which an individual, a highly automated vehicle driver or ADS may bring a highly automated vehicle after performing a DDT fallback in order to reduce the risk of a crash when a given trip cannot or should not be continued.

“Operational design domain” or “ODD.” Operating conditions under which a given ADS is specifically designed to function, including, but not limited to, environmental, geographical and time-of-day restrictions and the requisite presence or absence of certain traffic or highway characteristics.

“Platoon.” A group of buses, military vehicles or motor carrier vehicles traveling in a unified manner at electronically coordinated speeds at following distances that are closer than would be reasonable and prudent without the coordination. The term does not include a school bus or a school vehicle.