TITLE 40 MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

Section 6. Uniform Rules of the Road, 40-6-1 through 40-6-397.

ARTICLE 13 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES

40-6-365. Standards for local authorities to establish personal transportation vehicle transportation plans.

1. A local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, adopt a PTV plan.
2. Prior to the enactment of a PTV plan, a local authority shall submit the plan to any agency having traffic law enforcement responsibilities in the plan area and allow for input and comment upon the PTV plan.
3. A PTV plan shall:
   1. Establish minimum general design criteria for the development, planning, and construction of separated PTV lanes, including, but not limited to, the design speed of the facility, the space requirements of the personal transportation vehicle, and roadway design criteria. This paragraph shall not apply if a local authority's governing body and the law enforcement agency with primary traffic jurisdiction over the street in question concludes that the street or roadway segment is suitable to safely accommodate both regular vehicular traffic and personal transportation vehicles but shall be governed by the requirements listed in Code Section 40-6-368;
   2. Establish uniform specifications and symbols for signs, markers, and traffic control devices consistent with the most current version of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to control personal transportation vehicle traffic; to warn of dangerous conditions, obstacles, or hazards; to designate the right of way between personal transportation vehicles, other motor vehicles, and bicycles; to state the nature and destination of the PTV lane; and to warn pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists of the presence of personal transportation vehicle traffic;
   3. Include a permitting process for personal transportation vehicles operating within the plan area. Such permitting process may include, but is not limited to, requirements regarding permit posting, permit renewal, operator education, and liability insurance. Local authorities may require a personal transportation vehicle to be permitted at least once every five years for a fee not to exceed $15.00;
   4. Establish minimum safety criteria for personal transportation vehicle operators, including, but not limited to, requirements relating to personal transportation vehicle maintenance and personal transportation vehicle safety. Unless otherwise allowed by law under local ordinance established prior to January 1, 2012, as authorized by Part 3 of this article, operators shall be required to possess a valid driver's license and comply with the financial responsibility requirements for passenger vehicle operators;
   5. Establish restrictions limiting the operation of personal transportation vehicles to PTV lanes, paths, or other approved streets or road segments in the plan area; and
   6. Provide that any person operating a personal transportation vehicle in the plan area in violation of the PTV plan is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine as established by law.
4. A PTV plan may include, but is not limited to, the following elements:
   1. Route selection, which includes a finding that the route will accommodate personal transportation vehicles without an adverse impact upon traffic safety, and will consider, among other things, the travel needs of commuters and other users;
   2. Transportation interfacing, which shall include, but not be limited to, coordination with other modes of transportation;
   3. Community involvement in planning;
   4. Flexibility and coordination with long-range transportation planning;
   5. Provision for personal transportation vehicle related facilities including, but not limited to, special access points, charging stations, and personal transportation vehicle crossings;
   6. Provisions for parking facilities, including, but not limited to, community commercial centers, golf courses, public areas, parks, and other destination locations; and
   7. Provisions for special paving, road markings, signage and striping for PTV lanes, road crossings, parking, and circulation.
5. A PTV plan shall not include the use of any state highway, or any portion thereof, or the operation of personal transportation vehicles except that a crossing of, or a PTV lane along, a state highway may be included in the plan if consistent with accepted guidelines, recommendations, and criteria with respect to planning, design, signage, operation, and maintenance of shared use paths or PTV lanes as set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Safety Manual.

(Code 1981, §40-6-365, enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 745, § 11/HB 877.)