Residents of Santa Monica, California, have been complaining and protesting the frequent noise-pollution from Waymo driverless cars.
Waymo, a company offering driverless ride-hailing services, operates in various states throughout the U.S. While these electric vehicles equipped with rotating sensors initially attracted attention for their novelty, some locals now express frustration over the constant noise from their charging stations.
According to the LA Times, residents report that “the beeping rarely ever ceases, primarily because of a state law mandating electric vehicles to sound an alert when reversing, similar to delivery trucks.” These vehicles emit beeps when they back out from charging points and while maneuvering around one another. The noise occurs early in the morning as they depart to pick up riders and continues late at night when they return to recharge.
The California newspaper reported that local residents are fed up, to the point where some are outright protesting.
Due to complaints from residents who deem the autonomous cars bothersome, city officials, a judge, and even police have had to step in. Frustrated individuals have united to oppose the local fleet of 56 vehicles, reaching out to both the city and Waymo. Some are now employing unconventional methods to address the situation, the LA Times noted.
The report additionally added, “Using cones, cars and sometimes themselves, residents have taken to blocking the Waymos from entering their company-funded parking lot, so much so that the company has called the cops on them a half dozen times.”
“I want the noise stopped,” a local resident named Darius Boorn told the outlet. “I thought it was cool, and then those freaking noises started. And then I thought, ‘Oh no, this can’t be happening.’”
The LA Times reported that Waymo’s usage of local lots was a surprise to city officials as well, who only learned about them when residents began complaining.
“Their arrival in Santa Monica appears to have flown under the radar because they subleased the lot from another company and capitalized on its existing charging infrastructure,” the report said.
A Waymo spokesperson told the LA Times that the company “will continue to learn and improve how we introduce ourselves to new communities when we arrive.”
While Waymo has made some efforts to reduce noise, including “limiting hours that staff members work at the lots, purchasing quieter vacuums to clean the cars, and installing fast-growing bamboo stands to try to absorb some of the noise,” locals are unsatisfied.
“C’mon, it’s lipstick on a pig, baby,” Boorn said.
Mayor pro-tem Caroline Torosis credited Waymo for its efforts so far, but noted the chief issue is both state and federal regulations.
“The issue here is that they are sounds that the vehicles are required to make,” Torosis said. “I’m totally sympathetic to the quiet enjoyment of property, so we’re trying to get this under control.”
As local officials work to contact state officials, Torosis added further, “We need to make sure that as we have some of these new business practices coming into the city, while not stifling innovation, that we’re putting the needs of our residents here in front.”
A spokesperson for the company told Fox Business, “We strive to be good neighbors in the cities that we operate, and are committed to being a positive presence in Santa Monica. We are in ongoing conversation with the City’s Department of Transportation, and are actively working with the agency as we explore and implement mitigations that address neighbors’ concerns.”
