Fully autonomous vehicles are already operating on city streets, but a study published last year in AI and Ethics reported that 74% of survey respondents said they do not trust AVs nor believe AVs can perform better than a normal driver. However, a number of companies are developing technologies to enhance safety for and around autonomous vehicles in urban areas. According to Statista, 58 million autonomous vehicles are projected to be sold globally in 2030. Cities need to be ready for them. "The nation's city leaders see that AV technology is here so it cannot be ignored or left in a regulatory limbo while it operates on our streets," said Houston city council member and Vice Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum in testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure earlier this year.