Gov. Newsom called the new law unnecessary, citing existing efforts by state regulators to develop new rules around autonomous trucking.
After California state legislators passed a law banning self-driving trucks until the early 2030s, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the law, paving the way for autonomous trucks in spite of concerns raised by the Teamsters union, which represents truck drivers, and road safety advocates. “Labor advocates argued the California ban on driverless trucks was needed to protect state residents from tech that’s not ready for prime time.”
According to an article in Wired by Aarian Marshall, “In a letter released yesterday, Newsom wrote that the law is ‘unnecessary,’ because California already has two agencies, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state Highway Patrol, overseeing and creating regulations for the new technology.” Autonomous trucks were not yet approved for testing on California roads as these regulators work to develop new sets of rules.
Elsewhere in the United States, such as Texas, “None of the companies testing autonomous trucks in the US have removed safety drivers, who are trained to take over when the vehicle goes wrong, from behind the wheels of their big rigs.”
More on autonomous vehicles in California:
FULL STORY: California’s Governor Gavin Newsom Vetoes State Ban on Driverless Trucks
California Moves to Limit Autonomous Trucks
A bill passed by the State Assembly and moving on to the Senate would require autonomous semi trucks to have a trained human operator in the vehicle.
Uber Bails on Autonomous Vehicles
One of the highest-profile, and most legally fraught, efforts to beat the competition into the autonomous vehicles market is now defunct.
Planning for the Autonomous Future
With some historical perspective, transportation planners and policymakers can avoid the mistakes of the past and develop a transportation system that acknowledges the needs of all road users.
Eugene Ends Parking Minimums
In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.
How Paris, Texas Became a ‘Unicorn’ for Rural Transit
A robust coalition of advocates in the town of 25,000 brought together the funding and resources to launch a popular bus service that some residents see as a mobility lifeline—and a social club.
How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives
Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.
States Scramble in Wake of Clean Water Act Ruling
The removal of federal oversight of wetlands has left millions of acres unregulated and erected major hurdles for lawmakers seeking to protect them.
Brightline West Awarded $3 Billion in Federal Funding
The high-speed rail line will cut travel time between Southern California and Las Vegas roughly in half.
OKC Celebrates New Rapid Bus Line With Free Rides
The agency wants to showcase the benefits of a recently opened BRT line connecting the northwest part of the city to downtown.
City of Kissimmee - Development Services
City of Kissimmee - Development Services
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
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