Waymo Operations Halted in Santa Monica, California
Residents living near two Waymo charging and servicing facilities in Santa Monica, California, have won temporary relief from around-the-clock noise, lighting and traffic.
The Los Angeles County Superior Court granted the city’s request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting overnight operations at two Waymo facilities. The restrictions will remain in effect while the city’s public nuisance case proceeds to trial.
Residents had reported more than a year of overnight disturbances that disrupted sleep and the use of their homes. The court found that the city had a reasonable probability of prevailing and that the harm to residents outweighed the potential harm to Waymo. The company may continue providing overnight rides using vehicles charged and serviced during the day.
The case demonstrates that new transportation technology does not override a community’s right to nighttime quiet. Charging and servicing facilities must be properly located and operated so their impacts are not imposed on neighboring homes.
A status conference is scheduled for October to review possible remediation measures at the facilities.