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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.<\/p>\n
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Jay Janner\/Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Self-driving governance<\/p>\n
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In 2025, Waymo began supervised testing on San Antonio streets. Months later, the company announced it would launch fully driverless service in the city.<\/p>\n
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The technology arrived quickly and without a public debate or policy framework. That is the core problem.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
San Antonio cannot ban\u00a0Waymo or restrict deployment, but it can govern outcomes.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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After three years, the city could evaluate results and decide whether to scale, modify or sunset the pilot.<\/p>\n
This is not anti-technology. It is pro-society.<\/p>\n
Governance must move as fast as these artificial intelligence and mobility technologies.<\/p>\n
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Thomas\u00a0Yingst, Floresville<\/p>\n
Good with Goodwin<\/p>\n
For the past 11 years, Texans have endured Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick\u2019s divisive, culture war-focused, tumultuous reign.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0Vikki Goodwin in the Democratic primary runoff.<\/p>\n
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Goodwin\u2019s steady, compassionate leadership in the Texas House for the past eight years has well-prepared her to take on the role of lieutenant governor.<\/p>\n
Texans who prioritize, strong schools, clean water and affordable housing will find a true champion in Goodwin.<\/p>\n
Early voting runs through the May 22, followed by Election Day on May 26.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s break some turnout records and get the right people on the ballot for November\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n
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Trump ignores real issues<\/p>\n