Page 18 - The Indian EYE 090525

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 05, 2025 | The Indian Eye 18

Mayor Adams, Dot Announce Approval of

First Application to Test Autonomous Vehicles

In New York City With Trained Safety Specialist

Waymo Permitted to Begin Testing Autonomous Vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn with

Trained Specialist Behind Wheel at All Times Under Nation’s Strictest Safety Rules

OUR BUREAU
NEW YORK, NY
ew York City Mayor Eric Ad-
ams and New York City De-
Npartment of Transportation
(DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodri-
guez have announced that DOT has
granted Waymo its first-ever permit
to begin testing a limited number of
autonomous vehicles (AV) in parts of
Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn
under the nation’s strictest AV safe-
ty rules, including a requirement to
have a trained AV-specialist behind
the wheel at all times.

Launched by the Adams ad-

ministration last year, the city’s
robust safety requirements
have been established for re-
sponsible and safe AV testing

in New York City. The rigorous
permitting program ensures all
approved applicants are ready ty guidelines to ensure safe, responsi- step in New York City.” industry’s best practices related to
to safely and proficiently test ble testing on our city’s streets,” said “Roadway safety for all New cybersecurity. In addition to receiv-

their technology in the coun- DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodri- Yorkers is quite simply one of the ing DOT approval, Waymo has also
most important issues today,” said
obtained necessary permits from the
guez. “These requirements will help
try’s most dynamic and com- ensure that the development of this Paige Carbone, regional executive New York state Department of Mo-
plex urban environment. technology is focused, first and fore- director, MADD (Mothers Against tor Vehicles. Waymo will be permit-
most, on the safety of everyone who Drunk Driving) New York. “Auton- ted to test up to eight autonomous
shares our busy city streets.” omous vehicles hold the exciting vehicles in Manhattan and Down-
“We’re a tech-friendly adminis-
“With over 10 million rides com-
tration and we’re always looking for pleted in five major U.S. cities and a promise of preventing deaths and town Brooklyn until late September
injuries caused by behavioral factors, 2025.
innovative ways to safely move our strong safety record, we’re proud to including impaired driving, if de- After the pilot testing period,
city forward,” said Mayor Adams.
“New York City is proud to welcome be working with leaders to lay the ployed responsibly and safely and in Waymo will have the opportunity to
collaboration with the right commu-
groundwork to bring this life saving
apply for an extension to their pilot
Waymo to test this new technology technology to New Yorkers one day, nity and city stakeholders. We wel- testing period. Finally, DOT’s ap-
in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as we beginning with receiving the first-ev- come this next step for New Yorkers proval strictly relates to testing AV
know this testing is only the first step er permit issued in the city to drive as Waymo receives the first permit of technology — the use of autono-
in moving our city further into the autonomously,” said Annabel Chang, its kind.” mous vehicles for for-hire service is
21st century. As we continue to im- head of U.S. state and local public As part of their permit to oper- currently prohibited by New York
plement responsible innovation, we
will always prioritize street safety.” policy, Waymo. “We believe it is es- ate within New York City, Waymo is City Taxi and Limousine Commis-
sential for companies to collaborate
required to coordinate closely with
sion (TLC) rules, and any company
“As autonomous vehicle technol-
ogy expands across the country, DOT directly with cities on the rollout of DOT through regular meetings and providing for-hire service must com-
ply with TLC rules, including by ob-
data reporting and Waymo must
autonomous technology and are
has put in place comprehensive safe-
pleased to have reached this next certify that they are adhering to the taining a TLC license.
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