SAN DIEGO (FOX 5\/KUSI)\u00a0\u2014 As autonomous vehicles expand on San Diego streets, some city leaders and transportation workers are calling for more local control over how the technology operates and protections for workers who could be displaced.<\/p>\n
Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Marni von Wilpert joined taxi and rideshare drivers, labor leaders and community advocates Monday at San Diego City Hall ahead of the City Council’s consideration of a resolution addressing autonomous vehicle operations.<\/p>\n
The proposal calls on the California Legislature and governor to restore local authority over autonomous vehicle passenger service, giving cities more control over how the vehicles operate within their jurisdictions.<\/p>\n
Supporters say local governments should have a greater role as driverless vehicles become more common, particularly when it comes to public safety, noise, curbside operations and residents’ data privacy.<\/p>\n
The resolution also raises concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles on jobs.<\/p>\n
Thousands of San Diegans work as taxi, rideshare and delivery drivers, and supporters are calling for state and federal protections for workers whose livelihoods could be affected as the technology advances.<\/p>\n
The proposal calls on autonomous vehicle operators to coordinate with local officials and first responders, comply with local noise and nuisance laws and reduce unnecessary circulation of empty vehicles.<\/p>\n
It also calls for limits on the use of loading zones when vehicles are not actively picking up or dropping off passengers or conducting business, along with protections for residents’ data privacy.<\/p>\n
Supporters are also seeking restrictions on where charging hubs and fleet facilities are located, particularly around homes, schools, health care facilities and public safety facilities.<\/p>\n
The resolution additionally supports federal legislation that would establish emergency response coordination requirements for autonomous vehicle manufacturers and operators.<\/p>\n
Waymo responds<\/p>\n
Waymo pushed back against the proposal, arguing that additional restrictions could limit transportation options in San Diego.<\/p>\n
“Waymo is proud to provide San Diego with another transportation option that is safe, reliable, and secure,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. “This ill-conceived motion could lead to the restriction of San Diegans’ transportation choices at the airport, hurting those whose needs are not met by the status quo.”<\/p>\n
The company also pointed to its work with local first responders.<\/p>\n
Waymo says it has trained more than 290 first responders in the San Diego region since 2023, including personnel from the San Diego Police Department, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, Harbor Police and California Highway Patrol.<\/p>\n
The company says additional training is planned with those agencies as well as National City and Coronado fire departments.<\/p>\n
“We’ll continue investing in those partnerships with local officials to make the region’s roads safer and more connected,” the Waymo spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The proposal does not itself establish a new local permitting system for autonomous vehicles. Instead, it calls on state lawmakers and the governor to return greater regulatory authority to local governments while outlining the standards San Diego leaders want autonomous vehicle operators to follow.<\/p>\n