Santa Monica Residents Complain About 'Incessant' Beeping from Waymo Cars

Noise Pollution from Waymo Charging Stations

• 💡 Residents in Santa Monica are complaining about noise pollution originating from a Waymo charging station located at Euclid and Broadway.
• 🔊 The primary complaint is the backup noise emitted by Waymo vehicles, which some describe as a consistent and annoying sound.
• 🌃 For some residents, especially at night, this noise is disruptive and prevents them from sleeping, as Waymo vehicles appear to be most active during these hours.

Community Petition and Resident Concerns

• ✍️ A Change.org petition has been started by a neighbor, stating the Waymo station has turned their once peaceful neighborhood into a hub of noise pollution and disturbance.
• 🗣️ Residents working from home find the noise particularly disruptive, impacting their ability to conduct calls and focus.
• 🏠 Some neighbors have expressed that they can no longer even keep their windows open due to the persistent noise.

City Response and Regulatory Challenges

• 📧 The City of Santa Monica has stated they are working with Waymo to resolve these concerns and that code enforcement has visited the site multiple times.
• ⚖️ However, the city notes they have no jurisdiction to regulate Waymo's operations, as autonomous vehicle services are exclusively permitted by the California Public Utilities Commission and the DMV.
• 🚗 Additionally, federal regulations require hybrid and electric vehicles to emit a backup sound at a volume sufficient to alert pedestrians and cyclists.

Waymo's Response and Further Developments

• 📞 Waymo has been contacted and is reportedly working on a response to the complaints.
• 📰 Further details are expected, including information about a resident who allegedly attempted to seek a temporary restraining order against Waymo.