Are US Cities Ready for the Robotaxi Revolution? (Josh Naramore)

Are US Cities Ready for the Robotaxi Revolution? (Josh Naramore)

Author: StreetsblogUSA April 28, 2026 Duration: 21:33

Robotaxis from companies like Waymo are already rolling onto roads across America, whehter or not cities are ready for them. How can cities take back their power and put shared autonomous vehicles in their proper place, understand what impact they're having on local transportation goals, and avoid amplifying some of the worst impacts of old-school car dependency? 

Today on The Brake, we're talking to Josh Naramore of the National Association of City Transportation Officials, which released a new report on how cities can meet the robotaxi revolution, and do it on their terms. And if they do it right, they can do it without losing momentum on building livable streets for people outside cars, too. 


You hear a lot about electric cars and futuristic transit, but what about the fundamental shift required to build cities where driving isn't a daily necessity? That's the terrain explored on The Brake: A Streetsblog Podcast. Hosted by the team at StreetsblogUSA, this series moves beyond the headlines to engage with the activists, planners, writers, and community members who are actively reimagining American streets. Each conversation digs into the real-world work of dismantling car dependency, examining the policy choices, cultural norms, and historical decisions that got us here. The discussions are grounded in the intersecting categories of society, commentary, culture, and news, offering a nuanced lens on everything from bike lane debates and public transit equity to the subtle ways our built environment shapes daily life. This isn't just a technical talk about infrastructure; it's about the human stories and the political movement fighting for safer, more connected, and less congested communities. Tune in for a podcast that acts as a vital pit stop for understanding the complex, often frustrating, but ultimately hopeful push to take our foot off the gas and build a different future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Brake: A Streetsblog Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The War on ... Walking and Biking? (Tepi McLaughlin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:19
Active transportation advocates constantly get accused of waging a "war on cars." But when you look around our communities, it sure looks more like we're in the middle of a war on walking and biking — and the wrong side…
Is U.S. Passenger Rail Having a Big Moment? (Jim Mathews) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:54
Secretary Sean Duffy withholding grants for America's first high speed rail line. Congress surprisingly showing up for Amtrak in its annual budget. Elon Musk pushing for privatization. A surprisingly strong showing for t…
America's Kids Deserve More than Waymo Subscriptions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:46
Autonomous vehicle giant Waymo is starting to experiment with subscription packages for teens — including those too young to drive. But as America's kids gain high-tech motorized independence, what will they lose in exch…
Does Constant Driving Really Make our Country Richer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:00
We've all heard the argument that the soul of America's economy is based on how much we all love to drive. But does the data support the narrative that cars connect us to far-flung opportunities to make and spend more mo…