A Waymo autonomous vehicle goes through standing water in Austin after a brief, intense rainstorm on April 30. San Antonio could implement a three-year adaptive mobility pilot to set outcome-based rules for safety, equity and labor for Waymo and other autonomous vehicles, a reader suggests.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Self-driving governance
In 2025, Waymo began supervised testing on San Antonio streets. Months later, the company announced it would launch fully driverless service in the city.
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The technology arrived quickly and without a public debate or policy framework. That is the core problem.
Autonomous vehicles now improve on a feedback loop measured in days, while governance still operates on a feedback loop measured in years. This mismatch will affect the thousands of San Antonians who earn income from driving or delivery work.
San Antonio cannot ban Waymo or restrict deployment, but it can govern outcomes.
A three-year adaptive mobility pilot could set outcome-based rules for safety, equity and labor; require privacy-preserving data; create a cross-agency oversight board; establish a robot use fee; and activate crisis protocols for crashes or mass layoffs.
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After three years, the city could evaluate results and decide whether to scale, modify or sunset the pilot.
This is not anti-technology. It is pro-society.
Governance must move as fast as these artificial intelligence and mobility technologies.
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Thomas Yingst, Floresville
Good with Goodwin
For the past 11 years, Texans have endured Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s divisive, culture war-focused, tumultuous reign.
If you are tired of bathroom bills and rising property taxes, and are ready for a genuine leader who puts the interests of everyday Texans first, vote for state Rep. Vikki Goodwin in the Democratic primary runoff.
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Goodwin’s steady, compassionate leadership in the Texas House for the past eight years has well-prepared her to take on the role of lieutenant governor.
Texans who prioritize, strong schools, clean water and affordable housing will find a true champion in Goodwin.
Early voting runs through the May 22, followed by Election Day on May 26.
Let’s break some turnout records and get the right people on the ballot for November’s general election.
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Trump ignores real issues
Re: “Trump trashes Talarico, skips runoff endorsement,” Metro, Friday:
According to President Donald Trump, Texas Rep. James Talarico is not fit to be a U.S. senator because he is a vegan.
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For Trump, however, a candidate’s dietary preferences — rather than his position on undeclared wars, climate change, tariffs, immigration and voting rights — seem as relevant as his astrological sign.
Steven Kellman, Shavano Park
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