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Waymo Robotaxi Drives Onto Phoenix Light-Rail Tracks as Passenger Jumps Out

Experts describe the incident as a rare mapping error likely triggered by recent construction.

Overview

  • Valley Metro says a Waymo vehicle was spotted on the northbound tracks near Central and Southern avenues around 9 a.m. on Jan. 7, with the scene cleared by 9:15 a.m. and no significant delays reported.
  • Bystander video shows the passenger exiting before the car continued along the tracks near passing trains, with the clip garnering millions of views on TikTok.
  • Phoenix police report they received a call about the incident but the vehicle had departed before officers arrived, and no injuries were reported.
  • An Arizona State University professor characterized the event as a rare edge case likely influenced by nearby construction and a newly added light-rail extension.
  • Coverage notes Waymo vehicles rely on detailed mapping with weekly updates and 29 cameras, and the company was contacted for comment.