The two Alphabet-owned companies have announced a pilot programme that will share road condition data with local governments, using Waymo’s robotaxi sensors and Waze’s existing reporting platform.
According to a Waymo blog post, the initiative will allow cities and state Departments of Transportation to access pothole data collected by Waymo vehicles through the free Waze for Cities platform. The data will also be visible to Waze users, who can verify the reported potholes to improve accuracy.In the blog post, Arielle Fleisher, Policy Development and Research Manager at Waymo, said, “Waymo is already making roads safer where we operate. We want to build on the safety benefits of our service by partnering with organisations and city officials to help improve the infrastructure we all depend on.”
Waymo and Waze to share pothole data with US cities and users: Here’s how it will work
The company pilot will begin in five locations: the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, where Waymo has already identified around 500 potholes. The companies plan to expand the programme to more cities over time.The system combines Waymo’s perception technology, including cameras and sensors, with Waze’s crowdsourced reporting. While Waze users can already report potholes, the partnership adds automated detection, providing cities with additional insights into road conditions.
Officials say the programme is aimed at addressing gaps in current road maintenance systems, which often rely on public complaints and manual inspections. This can lead to delays or incomplete data when prioritising repairs.“We’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver better services for residents, including our own work using object detection through cameras on City vehicles. As Waymo’s autonomous fleet travels across San Jose, we appreciate the collaboration with Waymo and Waze as we explore how technology can help identify issues like potholes faster so we can respond more efficiently,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wrote in the blog post.;The data-sharing effort is also expected to support safer travel by alerting drivers, cyclists and pedestrians about road hazards in real time through the Waze app.Meanwhile, Andrew Stober, Strategic Partner Manager at Waze, said, “For years, drivers on Waze have helped each other by reporting potholes for a smoother, safer ride. This pilot program with Waymo adds another source of data to that effort, giving cities a clearer picture of road conditions through our Waze for Cities platform. It’s a great example of how working together helps our community and makes our roads better for everyone.”Industry observers say the move reflects how companies operating autonomous vehicles can contribute to public infrastructure. Waymo’s robotaxis, equipped with lidar, radar, and other sensors, can continuously scan road conditions as they operate.“Waymo is showing the good neighbour principle in action: sharing data that helps cities fix problems faster and make streets safer for everyone. It’s a simple step, but it reflects a broader principle of responsibility, that companies operating on public streets can help improve them,” Sarah Kaufman, Director of the New York University Rudin Center for Transportation, noted.The companies said the idea for the programme came from feedback shared by city officials over time. As Waymo expands its operations to more cities, the partnership is expected to scale alongside it, providing local authorities with additional tools to monitor and maintain road infrastructure.
