The federal agency is responding to reports of crashes and erratic behavior from Waymo and Zoox vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is separately investigating Waymo and Zoox, two autonomous car makers, over the behavior of their self-driving vehicles.
According to an article by Haley Cawthon in Smart Cities Dive, the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation received 22 reports of Waymo self-driving cars crashing into stationary or semi-stationary objects. “Meanwhile, ODI is investigating two incidents involving Zoox vehicles equipped with its ADS that ‘unexpectedly braked suddenly,’ leading to rear-end collisions.”
The NHTSA also opened investigations into Tesla’s response to a 2-million vehicle recall affecting cars with automated driving tech in December, as well as Ford’s ‘hands-free’ highway driving system.
Local officials in the San Francisco Bay Area, where driverless car companies have concentrated their first deployment efforts, expressed concern about the rapid spread of autonomous cars on city streets, calling on state agencies to delay permits.
FULL STORY: NHTSA probes Waymo, Zoox over ‘unexpected’ self-driving behavior
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.
How Self-Driving Cars Are Integrating—or Not—Into the Urban Fabric
As they become more common on some U.S. streets, autonomous vehicles are impeding emergency response operations and blocking traffic, idling in neighborhoods, and defying law enforcement.
Waymo Robotaxis Often Fail to Stop for Pedestrians
One journalist recorded more than a dozen instances of Waymo autonomous cars speeding by when he tried to cross the street.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service