Billy Riggs, a national voice on autonomous mobility and Professor (University of San Francisco), explains why perception autonomy—the vehicle’s ability to truly see and interpret the world—is the real engine behind AV progress. Riggs argues that autonomy won’t solve congestion without major shifts in curb policy, workforce planning, and data governance, challenging cities to stop chasing sci-fi and focus on “Monday-morning” solutions like micro-transit, dynamic curb management, and realistic public–private models.