Automated Vehicles:

PBOT is opening a 45-day comment period for an update to TRN-14.34 (Automated Vehicles). This administrative rule was adopted by City Council in 2018 and was intended to regulate the testing of AVs and limit the commercial deployment of AVs for-hire on Portland streets. Since then, AVs have become widespread and are active in over a dozen U.S. cities, with companies announcing plans to deploy in at least 20 more cities in the coming year. PBOT has been engaging peers in other U.S. cities to learn more about the practical opportunities and challenges of AVs in urban environments. In light of these developments, PBOT is proposing several updates to TRN-14.34 that are designed to create a framework that enables PBOT to properly manage the testing or commercial operation of for-hire AVs onto our streets.

PBOT is holding a hybrid public hearing on the proposed changes from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. City staff will give an overview of the rule and allow time for testimony. For more information on attending the hearing, visit PBOT’s Updates to Automated Vehicles administrative rule webpage. PBOT will also be hosting a private for-hire transportation industry-focused listening session to discuss the labor impacts of this new technology.

PBOT will accept public comment for this rule until 5 p.m. on April 4, 2026. Comments on the proposed update may be submitted to pbotpolicycomments@portlandoregon.gov.

Staff will consider all comments. After the public comment period ends, PBOT will post a summary of the comments received and discuss the public’s feedback with City leadership before determining any next steps on automated vehicles.

PBOT is also opening a 30-day comment period for several other administrative rules: 

• TRN-8.08 (Encroachments in the Public Right-of-Way) describes the most common types of privately-owned structures in the public right-of-way (i.e. encroachments), and the necessary conditions that must be met to allow them. This rule went through an extensive update in 2023, and PBOT is now proposing minor updates to clarify three existing encroachment allowances (for landscaping, private non-franchised utilities, and building projections/oriel windows) as well as two new allowances (alleys and basketball hoops.)

• TRN-9.02 (Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plans for Residential Uses Administrative Rule and Procedures Guide) provides guidance to the PBOT, other City Bureaus, applicants, and the public on the implementation of Transportation and Parking Demand Management requirements. The proposed changes would simplify the prioritized uses of the Multimodal Incentive Fee to broaden the availability of TDM funds and better meet PBOT’s TDM goals. The proposal would also align with state requirements to remove or reduce minimum parking requirements by eliminating the TDM exemption for new commercial/mixed-use or multi-dwelling zone developments with more than 10 units located far from transit.

• TRN-10.40 (Driveways – Operation and Location) is used by City staff, developers, and the public to determine appropriate locations for driveways. The proposal clarifies and strengthens PBOT’s driveway standards, including enhanced safety measures. The proposal also addresses issues that commonly route proposed driveways into an exception process to better streamline the process for applicants.

PBOT will accept public comment for these rules until 5 p.m. on March 20, 2026. Comments on the proposed update may be submitted to pbotpolicycomments@portlandoregon.gov.

Staff will consider all comments and will post a summary of the comments received and the City’s response. Once all comments are considered, these administrative rules will be presented to the Public Works Deputy City Administrator for signing.

To stay up-to-date on all of PBOT’s administrative rule updates, bookmark our Updates to Transportation City Code and Administrative Rules page.