Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and Substack. Transcripts are also available by clicking on the “transcripts” button in the top right corner of this post on the app/web version. You can also access them from the email version by clicking here.

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Emily Warren, Deputy Secretary for Innovative Mobility Solutions at the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). Emily explains CalSTA’s role overseeing California’s transportation agencies, how the state balances innovation with regulation, and what she has learned since transitioning from the private sector into public service.

We also take a closer look at California’s newly updated autonomous vehicle regulatory framework, including how the DMV’s rulemaking process unfolded, what has changed, and how public feedback shaped the final regulations. Emily breaks down the respective roles of CalSTA, the DMV, and the California Public Utilities Commission in overseeing AV deployment, as well as how California approaches safety, data sharing, and coordination among local, state, and federal regulators.

Finally, we discuss what the new rules mean for robotaxis and autonomous trucks, how driverless trucking could scale in California, and where the state’s AV regulations may still need to evolve, including the possibility of personally owned autonomous vehicles.

Chapters

* (00:00) Introduction to Emily Warren

* (02:20) Background on CalSTA, the agencies they oversee, and Emily’s role

* (05:00) How CalSTA balances transportation innovation and regulation

* (07:05) What Emily has learned from transitioning from the private sector to public service at CalSTA

* (09:20) The roles of CalSTA, the DMV, and the CPUC in California’s AV permitting process

* (10:33) California’s new AV regulatory framework, how long it took, and what’s new

* (13:40) Public feedback on the new AV regulatory framework

* (16:46) Behind the scenes of the California DMV rulemaking process

* (21:01) The right cadence for reviewing California’s AV regulations

* (21:42) Areas for improvement in California’s AV regulations, including personal AV ownership

* (23:01) How AV trucking could scale in California

* (25:23) How CalSTA thinks about AV safety

* (29:25) The differences between AV trucks and robotaxis in the new AV regulations

* (32:56) AV regulation and coordination between the local, state, and federal regulators

* (37:30) Data sharing between cities and state regulators

* (40:04) Conclusion and final thoughts

Notes/Links:

* You can find Emily Warren on LinkedIn.

* CalSTA’s website (link).

* My podcast episode with CPUC Deputy Executive Director Pat Tsen, mentioned at the 09:24 timestamp (link).

* California’s new AV regulatory framework, mentioned at the 10:42 timestamp (link).

-Harry

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thedriverlessdigest.com

Balancing AV Innovation and Regulation with CalSTA’s Emily Warren

The Driverless Digest Podcast

Balancing AV Innovation and Regulation with CalSTA’s Emily Warren