HARRISBURG (TNS) — With pioneering research on self-driving vehicles at Carnegie Mellon University and private companies in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania wants to make sure that new technology can be developed, tested and implemented in Pittsburgh.

That’s why state Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian and state Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Johnstown, the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, announced legislation Wednesday that will make it easier to use the research here. They announced the proposed legislation Wednesday at a news conference at Hazelwood Green, where some of the CMU research is based.

The bill would allow highly automated vehicles to be tested without someone in the vehicle to take control of the vehicle in an emergency. Right now, state law requires a person in the vehicle who can override the automated system. Mr. Langerholc has been circulating a memo among colleagues in Harrisburg since September seeking co-sponsors for the bill.

”It is time to change this to comport in line with industry standards,” Langerholc said in his memo. “Doing this will solidify our support of the industries and demonstrate a commitment to this emerging industry.

”As Carnegie Mellon University is an indisputable global leader, it is only fitting that we take the steps to put Pennsylvania first,” he added.

Langerholc said the changes in the bill are needed to “reinforce Pennsylvania as a national and global leader” in the development of self-driving technology.

In addition to research at Carnegie Mellon — which has been testing a self-driving vehicle for more than 10 years — Argo AI (which tests cars), Locomation (which is testing tandem freight trucks with one driver) and Aurora Innovation (which is testing both cars and trucks) are each investing billions into research in the Pittsburgh area. In some instances, those firms have had to go to other states to test their products on active roads.