Waymo's New Orleans ambitions face regulatory hurdles
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Photo: Courtesy of Waymo
Waymo likely won't be operating an autonomous taxi service in New Orleans before 2027.
Why it matters: City Council leaders began public discussions last week that could lead to laws that would regulate driverless vehicles.
The big picture: Waymo is currently testing about 12 autonomous vehicles in New Orleans, according to a City Council presentation. Each vehicle has a human driver during this phase.
- Waymo tested the roads last year and said it found the city "easy to navigate."
- "From the large crowds in the French Quarter to navigating the city's storied streets, our (robodriver) safely navigated the complexity of the city," Waymo says.
- City officials expect Waymo to begin testing driverless rides later this year.
The fine print: Waymo and other driverless services like Amazon's Zoox and Tesla's Robotaxi would need New Orleans officials to change the law before they could operate as for-hire services.
- The current laws all focus on driver's licenses and requirements for human drivers, says Ashley Becnel, the executive counsel for City Council.
- "Our laws really were enacted in a way that did not contemplate a driverless car," Becnel says.
- City Council members expect to begin drafting a new ordinance to regulate robotaxis this fall, the presentation says.
Yes, but: They are already operating in places including Nashville, Miami, Phoenix and parts of California.
- The laws there focus on safety protocols and liability, according to Becnel's presentation.
Friction point: New Orleans' infrastructure is a concern.
- Mayor Helena Moreno is working on improving streetlights and street signs, but Councilmember Lesli Harris says the projects might not be done fast enough for Waymo. Harris also said she's worried about the extensive road construction.
- "I just have a concern that we aren't going to be up and ready as a city for autonomous vehicles in 2027 as far as our infrastructure," Harris said at Wednesday's committee meeting.
- City Council President JP Morrell also expressed concerns in January about Waymo, saying it doesn't seem like the technology is a "good fit" for the city.
The other side: Waymo argues the technology could do more than transport passengers.
- The company says its vehicles can help identify potholes and other roadway issues while mapping streets.
- Councilmember Eugene Green says he wants to be open to the technology because it could help residents who don't want to get in a vehicle with a stranger.
Behind the scenes: Waymo is in New Orleans at the invitation of Josh Fleig, the chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development.
- The goal, he told Axios' Chelsea Brasted last year, was to figure out what impact the company might have on local rideshare drivers.
- "I know that's counterintuitive to say, 'Let me help you displace workers,' but … unless we get involved early with big tech companies trying to figure out these really existential questions, we'll be fully reactive, it'll be too late and the poor will get poorer," he said.
Zoom out: Louisiana is also on the lookout for autonomous 18-wheelers, which are already being used in Texas to haul freight.
- Becnel says the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is looking at regulations for those, including whether they should be allowed in the state.
Go deeper: City's robotaxi presentation