Some residents of Santa Monica are upset with what they describe as “noise pollution” surrounding the Waymo charging stations in their neighborhood.
The lot where dozens of driverless Waymo cars power up is located on Broadway near Euclid Street and is surrounded by homes, schools and several other businesses.
Christopher Potter, a resident who started an online petition, says he and his neighbors are bothered by an “incessant disturbance” of beeping sounds as the autonomous vehicles back up – dozens of times per hour, by his estimate.
“The constant ‘beep-beep-beep’ sound as the autonomous vehicles back out of their spaces … hinders both our tranquillity during the day and our peace during the night.” Potter wrote.
He said one neighbor took the extreme step of blocking the driverless cars from entering the lot and was slapped with a restraining order from Waymo. “I don’t blame him — these things are just going around the block endlessly,” Potter said.
Waymo, owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, launched its service in the Los Angeles area in November 2024 and currently has around 100 vehicles operating primarily on L.A.’s westside.
Potter’s petition is demanding that the robotaxi company alter its fleet’s programming so that the beeping volume is considerably lower when they’re charging in their own lot.
“It’s one of the most annoying noises I can think of,” nearby resident Brian May told KTLA’s Lauren Lyster. “The Amazon trucks kind of have it figured out, but these ones are obnoxious. It’s like they do it on purpose.”
For its part, Waymo says it has already implemented steps to reduce noise by planting trees and other foliage around the lot to serve as sound barriers.
“City Code Enforcement staff confirmed the noise levels did not rise to the level of a violation of the City’s Exterior Noise Standards,” the company said in a statement to the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Responding to KTLA on Monday, city officials acknowledged receiving complaints but said they have no jurisdiction over Waymo’s operations. Instead, that lies with the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the city said in a statement.
“Another challenge is that federal regulations require all hybrid vehicles and EVs to beep when backing up at a volume sufficient to alert any pedestrians or bicyclists,” the spokesperson told KTLA.
Potter believes more needs to be done.
“It’s imperative that Waymo respects the right to peace and tranquility of the residents of Santa Monica,” Potter demands. “We urge the management of Waymo and the city to address our concerns and undertake urgent measures.”
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