JACKSON, Wyo. — On Monday, Feb. 3, Town Council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of motor-assisted delivery devices on Town sidewalks, streets and pathways.
According to the Town, these robots, which are manufactured to transport goods, use automated driving technology to move or hover without a physical driver present. The self-propelled devices typically have one or more wheels and an electric motor that doesn’t exceed 750 watts.
Staff notes read that robot delivery service vehicles have been allowed with a permit in cities and states across the country in recent years. The Town recently received public comment requesting that these self-driven devices be allowed in Town, according to the staff report.
On Jan. 6, during the ordinance’s second reading, Town Attorney Lea Colasuonno told the Council that town streets and sidewalks are already too crowded with travelers.
“With the rapid changing technology and how fast they are being deployed, I don’t think our Public Works staff or police staff would be able to accommodate another use with a different speed within our right-of-way with cars, bikes, pedestrians and electric bikes,” Colasuonno said.
Councilors determined that town streets and sidewalks are too narrow to handle the addition of free-roaming robots, which could impact the “general health, safety and welfare of the right-of-way.”
The passed ordinance also states that scooters, skateboards and all motor-assisted devices are prohibited between the town boundaries of Pearl St., Willow St., Gill St. and Millward St., except on designated shared use pathways or if being used for delivery purposes.
In regions outside of town limits, scooters, skateboards and motor-assisted devices can be driven on a sidewalk or roadway, but must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.
