WAYMO ROBOTAXIS RUN EMPTY HALF THE TIME

New analysis shows Waymo's robotaxi fleet spends substantial time traveling without passengers, driving empty miles to reposition for pickups or return to charging stations. This operational reality contradicts the core argument for autonomous vehicles: that they would optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. The empty-mile problem stems from the mismatch between where robotaxis are located and where demand exists. Unlike human drivers who can adapt routes flexibly, autonomous vehicles follow programmed routes and rebalancing algorithms that don't always align with passenger needs. This efficiency gap carries broader implications. If robotaxis increase total vehicle miles on roads—even with lower per-mile costs—cities may experience worse congestion rather than improvement. Transportation researchers increasingly acknowledge that autonomous vehicles could worsen traffic if deployed without proper regulation and integration into existing transit systems. Waymo declined to comment on the specific empty-mile figure, citing competitive concerns.