Waymo maps Cincinnati streets for driverless tech

Waymo is mapping streets in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to gather data for its autonomous driving technology. The mapping process involves trained specialists manually driving the vehicles, with cameras and sensors collecting information to build detailed maps. The project aims to understand local road conditions, including lane widths, pavement markings, curbs, and challenges like tunnels and work zones. The city's diverse climate, including freezing temperatures and snow, also presents unique conditions for the technology.

• Waymo's current work in Cincinnati is limited to mapping, with vehicles leaving the area once the project is complete.
• The Ohio Department of Transportation has been testing autonomous vehicles but requires a law change to allow commercial operations.
• Automated vehicles could address human behaviors that contribute to crashes, such as distracted driving, but real-world conditions remain a challenge.
• The study comparing Waymo's driverless vehicles with human drivers found a 68% lower rate of police-reportable crashes in driverless operation.

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