OTREC-RR-10-19

There are growing numbers of low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) on public roadways. LSVs are designed to be used in protected environments or on low-speed roads (25 mph), and are not currently subject to the same safety requirements as passenger cars. This project investigated safety standards, operating regulations, and LSV materials to determine the likely impacts of LSVs for the Oregon Dept. of Transportation and Oregon communities, and whether current state regulations are adequate to ensure safe integration of LSVs. U.S. and Canadian federal agencies have harmonized regulations and set maximum LSV operating speeds, however state and local authorities regulate road speeds and intersections. This research recommends that: 1) Oregon amend regulations to limit LSVs to low-speed roads, and to cross higher speed roads at controlled intersections, 2) local authorities develop parallel or secondary low-speed networks that connect residential neighborhoods with major activity centers.