Title
Dept/ Agency: Engineering
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Adopting a Policy
Purpose: To authorize the Director of Engineering to adopt rules and regulations for the operation of shared Dockless Vehicles in the public right-of-way.
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, the City of Newark (the “City”) recognizes the growth of new mobility technologies and their potential to help the City achieve its goals in equity, livability, and sustainability enumerated in the mobility element of the 2012 Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, the City views shared mobility services as a means to achieve the goals in the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s 2045 long-range plan, including the provision of dynamic transportation systems responsive to all current and future travelers; enhanced system coordination, efficiency, overall safety and connectivity, among others; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that shared mobility services can link underserved populations to jobs, schools, housing, health care facilities, grocery stores, mass transit and other essential services; complement the use of public transportation; and create attractive, vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods where people can live, shop, work, and play without relying on automobiles; and
WHEREAS, the City believes that shared mobility services provide a needed service to low-income neighborhoods facing lengthy commutes, and help lower combined housing and transportation costs for the same; and
WHEREAS, the City further recognizes the establishment of rules and regulations to allow Dockless Vehicles to operate in the public right-of-way, for a pilot period of six (6) months, to provide an easy and affordable way to get around the City, may reduce the need for motor vehicle ownership, increase the “first-and- last mile” connection to transit, and reduce single occupancy vehicle trips; and
WHEREAS, the City intends that the Director of the Department of Engineering specifically, and the Department of Engineering as a whole, continue in its role of regulating and managing the use of the City’s streets, which includes the public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, to that end, the Municipal Council shall be considering an Ordinance 6PSF-a, establishing a permit process for the operation of shared Dockless Vehicles in the public right-of-way for Second Reading and Final Adoption on April 21, 2021, which authorizes, among other things, the Director of the Department of Engineering to adopt rules and regulations to implement the ordinance and to provide guidance to those seeking to operate in the public right-of-way, which the Director of Engineering is authorized to amend from time to time as necessary; and
WHEREAS, the City deems it necessary and appropriate to create a fair and transparent permit application process that requires shared mobility service providers to meet or exceed requirements based on the program rules and regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Director of the Department of Engineering wishes to adopt “DOCKLESS VEHICLE PROVIDER SHARE SYSTEM PROGRAM REGULATIONS,” a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. Without limiting, in any respect, the authority granted to the Director of the Department of Engineering to adopt or modify consistent with the Municipal Code of the City of Newark and State Law, the “DOCKLESS VEHICLE PROVIDER SHARE SYSTEM PROGRAM REGULATIONS,” the Municipal Council, to the extent required by law, authorizes the issuance of said regulations in substantially the form attached hereto, and authorizes the charging and collection of fees set forth therein.
2. The Director of the Department of Engineering, consistent with the Municipal Code of the City of Newark, is hereby authorized to amend from time to time, the “DOCKLESS VEHICLE PROVIDER SHARE SYSTEM PROGRAM REGULATIONS,” as he/she sees fit to ensure that the performance, effectiveness and safety concerns of the City are achieved.
3. The Director of the Department of Engineering shall file a copy of the “DOCKLESS VEHICLE PROVIDER SHARE SYSTEM PROGRAM REGULATIONS,” attached herein in the Office of the City Clerk, which shall be made available for public inspection.
STATEMENT
This resolution, to the extent required by law, authorizes the action taken by the Director of the Department of Engineering to adopt regulations governing the ordinance establishing a permit process for the operation of shared Dockless Vehicles in the public right-of-way and to promulgate rules and regulations to shared mobility service providers seeking to obtain permits to operate in the City’s public right-of-way. This resolution further authorizes the Director of the Department of Engineering to amend those regulations from time to time as he/she sees fit to ensure that the performance, effectiveness and safety concerns of the City are achieved.