The 5th-generation all-electric Jaguar I-PACE. Photo courtesy of Waymo 

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – The streets of Sacramento are becoming a testing ground for the future of transportation. Waymo, formerly the Google Self-Driving Car Project, has officially begun mapping and initial testing of its self-driving Jaguar I-PACE vehicles across the capital city, signaling a major shift in the local transit landscape. Sacramento is the third California city to introduce autonomous vehicles, following San Francisco and Los Angeles.  

While the sight of white SUVs topped with spinning sensors is becoming more common from the Downtown Grid to the suburbs of Rancho Cordova, the rollout is sparking a complex conversation about safety, labor and AI technology. 

“Our expansion aligns with Sacramento’s ambitious Vision Zero goals to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries,” Waymo said in a press release on Feb. 5.

Sacramento has the highest number of traffic fatalities in California, with 11.61 deaths per 100,000 people from 2018 to 2022 – higher than the statewide average. Waymo hopes to reduce this number, and in its testing so far, has proven to be safer than a human driver.

“Regardless of fault, the Waymo Driver was involved in 92% fewer crashes that cause serious or fatal injuries than human drivers in the same driving conditions,” the Waymo Team said on March 19.

According to the California DMV, Waymo’s current permits allow for testing with a safety driver behind the wheel. This "mapping phase" is a critical precursor to fully driverless operations, allowing the vehicle’s artificial intelligence to learn the nuances of Sacramento’s geography – from the one-way streets of Midtown to the high-traffic corridors near the Golden 1 Center.

While Waymo is currently in their testing phase, they hope to launch their rideshare service later this year. 

“Waymo has indicated that it does not intend to begin operating commercially in the expanded areas before May 1,” the California DMV said in an email statement. “Prior to beginning commercial passenger service in the new areas, Waymo must receive additional approval from the California Public Utilities Commission.”  

Once they begin commercial operations, riders will be able to hail a ride through an app, similar to the way other rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft work. While some people might prefer self-driving rides due to the lower cost – especially considering there is no tipping – some drivers do have concerns about this new technology.  

“A lot of the streets aren't well marked or lit, even driver assist services struggle,” an Uber driver from Rancho Cordova who asked to remain anonymous said. Despite this, he believes that “most [people] will use the cheaper option.” 

For now, Waymo’s presence in Sacramento remains in the data collection phase. The company has not yet announced a formal date for when residents can begin hailing a driverless ride through an app, but the Jaguar sightings serve as a daily reminder that the autonomous era has arrived. 

As the mapping continues, the city council and the DMV will face ongoing pressure to ensure transparency regarding safety data and to protect the human workers currently fueling the city's rideshare economy.