Key facts
- San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has asked state regulators to bolster rules for autonomous vehicles.
- The request follows a July 4 incident where Waymo robotaxis became immobile and blocked key streets.
- Lurie cited two events where dozens of stranded Waymo vehicles paralyzed traffic.
- He believes California's current regulatory framework does not adequately address AV operation during major incidents.
- Lurie proposed four core operational capabilities for AV manufacturers and statewide standards.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is advocating for enhanced regulations on autonomous vehicles following a significant traffic disruption caused by Waymo robotaxis. The incident occurred on July 4, when numerous Waymo vehicles became immobile due to power loss amidst heavy traffic from a fireworks event, leading to hours-long gridlock that affected thousands of people and municipal services.
In a letter to the California Department of Transportation, Lurie highlighted that this event, along with a December power outage that also stranded Waymo vehicles, demonstrated the inadequacy of current state regulations for handling autonomous vehicles during major incidents. He argued that the focus should extend beyond safe operation under normal conditions to reliable performance during extraordinary circumstances.
Lurie has proposed that autonomous vehicle manufacturers must demonstrate four core operational capabilities. He is urging the state to establish statewide standards requiring companies to immediately remove or relocate stranded robotaxis from active travel lanes, adapt routes and service areas in real-time, and share operational data, including service disruptions and recovery efforts, with local agencies. Companies would also need to prove their ability to handle large influxes of people and traffic through testing.
California currently has a regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, with companies needing permits from both the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Public Utilities Commission. While stricter than some other states, this has not deterred companies from seeking to operate in California. Waymo, the largest operator with an estimated 1,000 robotaxis in the Bay Area, has previously agreed to restrictions near the waterfront for the July 4 event and assigned a representative to the city's emergency center, but Lurie stated these voluntary actions are no longer sufficient given the scale of Waymo's fleet.