In a move to gain more control over the expansion of autonomous vehicle (AV) services, the San Mateo Board of Supervisors has thrown its support behind Senate Bill 915, the Autonomous Vehicle Service Deployment and Data Transparency Act. Introduced by Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), the bill aims to give regulatory power for AV services to local governments.
While the autonomous vehicle company, Waymo LLC, seeks permission from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to expand its AV passenger services from Sunnyvale to San Francisco, the San Mateo County supervisors are pushing for the authority to say no. They argue that the technology is not yet advanced enough to ensure the safety of AVs on the roads.
Supervisor David Canepa, one of the authors of the resolution in support of SB 915, expressed concerns about potential accidents and chaos caused by AVs traveling at high speeds on highways. He questioned the administrative nature of the permission process, which is currently handled by a state-level commission that is not elected.
The County Attorney, John Nibbelin, joined the opposition by writing a letter to the CPUC, criticizing Waymo for failing to communicate with local staff regarding their expansion proposal. Nibbelin stated that input from local stakeholders is essential when making decisions of public interest, especially in light of recent public safety incidents involving Waymo and Cruise LLC in San Francisco.
Under Senate Bill 915, AV operators would be required to obtain approval from both the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the CPUC, as well as secure approvals from the local government where they intend to operate. This bill aims to establish a locally governed permitting program, allowing cities and counties to set their own policies and regulations for AV services.
With the support of San Mateo County, Senate Bill 915 gains momentum as it aims to bring local governments into the decision-making process for autonomous vehicle services. As the advancement of AV technology continues, ensuring collaboration between state and local authorities is crucial for the safe and efficient deployment of these vehicles on public roads.
FAQ Section:
1. What is Senate Bill 915?
Senate Bill 915, also known as the Autonomous Vehicle Service Deployment and Data Transparency Act, is a bill introduced by Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) that aims to give regulatory power for autonomous vehicle (AV) services to local governments. It requires AV operators to obtain approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and the local government where they intend to operate.
2. Why is San Mateo County supporting Senate Bill 915?
San Mateo County is supporting Senate Bill 915 because it wants more control over the expansion of AV services in its area. The county supervisors argue that the technology for autonomous vehicles is not yet advanced enough to ensure their safety on the roads. They believe that local governments should have the authority to deny permission for AV services if they deem it necessary.
3. What are the concerns expressed by Supervisor David Canepa?
Supervisor David Canepa, one of the authors of the resolution in support of SB 915, expressed concerns about potential accidents and chaos caused by AVs traveling at high speeds on highways. He also questioned the administrative nature of the permission process, which is currently handled by a state-level commission that is not elected.
4. What concerns did the County Attorney, John Nibbelin, raise?
County Attorney John Nibbelin criticized Waymo for failing to communicate with local staff regarding their expansion proposal. He stated that input from local stakeholders is essential when making decisions of public interest, particularly in light of recent safety incidents involving Waymo and Cruise LLC in San Francisco.
5. What does Senate Bill 915 aim to establish?
Senate Bill 915 aims to establish a locally governed permitting program that would allow cities and counties to set their own policies and regulations for AV services. AV operators would need approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, CPUC, and the local government where they intend to operate.
Related Links:
1. Waymo – Official website of Waymo, an autonomous vehicle company.
2. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) – Official website of the CPUC.
3. California Department of Motor Vehicles – Official website of the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
The source of the article is from the blog tvbzorg.com