Although ‘deadheading’ time has gone down, Waymos still spend much of their time creating traffic without passengers.
Data from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) reveals that Waymo vehicles spend close to half of their driving time without passengers, writes Harry Campbell in The Driverless Digest.
Although the phenomenon known as ‘deadheading’ has decreased from 51.5 percent in January 2024 to 44.3 percent in September 2025, the autonomous vehicles still spend a significant amount of time creating traffic without being in service.
According to Campbell, “Waymo may be forced to reposition more after drop-offs — or simply keep moving because there aren’t many legal places to wait. At a high level, the data suggests their fleet spends a lot of time driving around between trips while waiting for a request, rather than staying put, which is why P1 miles remain so high.”
Read the full story: What CPUC Data Reveals About Waymo’s Deadheading and Utilization
Can Robotaxis Handle London's Famously Tangled Streets?
Black Cab drivers say autonomous cars won’t be able to handle London’s unique conditions.
Advice for Autonomous Cars
Drivers for Uber and Lyft in San Francisco express their concerns and advice for self-driving taxi services.
DC's robotaxi bill stays silent on accessibility
A 24-page bill addresses safety, permitting and consumer rights — but fails to mention wheelchairs or accessible vehicles.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders
The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.
NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses
Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.
California High-Speed Rail Authority picks trainset manufacturer
The California High-Speed Rail Authority aims to start servicing passengers by 2033.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority