The company’s autonomous cars will start testing freeway rides with employees as passengers.
The autonomous car industry has seen some significant setbacks in the last few months, but Waymo is moving forward with plans to deploy rider-only testing for its self-driving vehicles on Phoenix freeways.
According to an article in the Arizona Republic by Corina Vanek, the company says the first riders will be Waymo employees. “Waymo employees will be able to hail autonomous rides on freeways around Phoenix and will provide feedback to the company before rider-only freeway trips are offered to the public.”
Adding freeways to the coverage network will allow for longer rides and connect more destinations, the company says. Waymo is already permitted to operate in roughly 225 square miles covering Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale. “By October 2023, Waymo vehicles had driven 5.34 million miles in the Phoenix metro, according to data released by the company in December.” Unlike its competitors, Waymo has largely avoided federal investigations or recalls.
FULL STORY: Waymo to begin rider-only testing on metro Phoenix freeways: What we know
Waymo Expansion Makes Phoenix ‘World’s Largest Self-Driving Car Zone’
The company’s autonomous taxis will soon be available in most parts of the metro area including Tempe, Mesa, and a new airport pick-up location.
Waymo One Now Offering Fully Autonomous Rides to the General Public
Is this the "Kitty Hawk moment" driverless car companies have been seeking?
Year One of Waymo
Waymo, like Google a company of Alphabet Inc., has been offering self-driving ride-hailing service to the public for a year, providing 100,000 rides in the Phoenix area in the process.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont