New York City has given its first-ever permit to test autonomous vehicles, allowing Waymo to operate up to eight vehicles until late September. The company must have a trained safety driver behind the wheel at all times and is subject to strict regulations, including close coordination with the Department of Transportation and regular safety reporting.
The pilot program is part of a larger effort to safely integrate autonomous vehicles into the city’s streets. Waymo has logged over 10 million autonomous rides in five U.S. cities and plans to expand its operations to other major cities, including Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
Street safety advocacy groups, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have welcomed the pilot program, citing potential benefits for reducing crashes linked to impaired or reckless driving. However, unions representing taxi drivers, ride-share workers, and transit employees are strongly opposed, fearing job losses and putting pedestrians at risk.
The Transport Workers Union has launched a petition calling for a full ban on autonomous vehicle testing in NYC, citing incidents involving Waymo vehicles across the country that have raised concerns about safety and readiness. The union warns that self-driving cars could “turn pedestrians into cannon fodder” and block streets for emergency responders.
Waymo’s head of U.S. state and local public policy has stated that the New York permit marks a significant step in expanding the technology, but the company has not commented on what specific tests or evaluations are planned for the pilot program.
Source: https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/self-driving-cars-nyc-first-permit-waymo