Waymo has filed a lawsuit against the city of Santa Monica after being ordered to cease overnight charging operations for its autonomous vehicles at two facilities. The city claims the lights and beeping noises from the stations, located at the intersection of Euclid Street and Broadway, disturb residents. The charging stations have been a point of contention since they began operating about a year ago, with residents complaining of noise and light pollution disrupting their sleep.
Last month, Santa Monica ordered Waymo and Voltera, the company operating the stations, to stop overnight operations, citing them as a public nuisance. Instead of complying, Waymo filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, arguing that their activities do not constitute a public nuisance and that the city was aware of the 24-hour operation when it approved the permits.
According to the Los Angeles Times, tensions have escalated, with residents reportedly blocking the vehicles and the city receiving over 40 complaints about the noise. Waymo attempted to mitigate the issues by proposing software updates and other measures, but negotiations with the city fell through.
The city argues that the operations violate municipal codes due to the noise and light intensity, as reported by Santa Monica Daily Press. Waymo has expressed disappointment with the city’s adversarial approach and insists that its operations are lawful and beneficial to the community.
This legal battle is the latest for Waymo, which has been expanding its autonomous vehicle services across California. The company hopes to resolve the issue amicably and continue its operations in Santa Monica.
Recent Comments