London Mayor Seeks Cap on Robotaxis as UK Eyes Driverless Rules
Sadiq Khan warns autonomous vehicles could harm jobs and worsen congestion as the UK government moves to permit fully driverless cars in London.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is pushing for a limit on the number of robotaxis permitted to operate on the capital's streets, citing concerns over traffic congestion, air quality and employment, as the UK government prepares to authorize fully driverless vehicles in the city.
Khan argued that policymakers have been slow to recognize how rapidly autonomous vehicle technology is advancing, suggesting that existing regulations may not be adequate to manage the potential consequences of a large-scale commercial rollout.
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The mayor's intervention reflects broader anxieties among city officials worldwide about the economic and urban-planning implications of driverless ride-hailing fleets. Critics of unchecked deployment warn that robotaxis could add net vehicle miles to road networks rather than reducing them, particularly if the vehicles circulate between fares without passengers.
The UK government has been moving toward a regulatory framework that would allow autonomous vehicles to operate commercially, a shift that industry advocates argue would position Britain as a global leader in transportation technology. Khan's call for a numerical cap signals that local authorities intend to assert influence over how and where that technology is introduced.
The debate in London mirrors disputes in cities such as San Francisco, where regulators clashed with autonomous vehicle operators over safety incidents and traffic disruptions before imposing tighter restrictions. Continue reading at Business | The Guardian.
