Driverless Robotaxis Create Gridlock in San Francisco’s North Beach Area
San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood experienced chaos on Friday night, just one day after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved a significant expansion of driverless robotaxis in the city. As many as 10 Cruise autonomous taxis blocked two narrow streets, bringing traffic to a standstill in the bustling bar and restaurant district.
Witnesses reported that the human-driven cars were stuck behind and between the motionless robotaxis for approximately 15 minutes. With no knowledge of how to navigate around the obstructing vehicles, frustration grew among residents and visitors alike. Videos and messages flooded the office of Aaron Peskin, the city council representative for North Beach, capturing the scene and expressing concern about the impact of this technological advancement on the city’s daily life.
In an attempt to understand the situation, Peskin contacted Cruise’s government affairs manager, Lauren Wilson, for an explanation. He reached out to her at 11:01 p.m. on Friday but received a response only at 8:25 a.m. the following day. Wilson attributed the problem to cellphone carriers, claiming that the LTE cell connectivity was affected by the Outside Lands music festival held in Golden Gate Park—located approximately four miles away from North Beach.
This incident highlights the irony surrounding the CPUC’s decision to authorize the expansion of driverless robotaxis. Despite the controversies surrounding the potential risks to public safety, the commission voted 3-1 in favor of allowing General Motors-owned Cruise and Alphabet-owned Waymo to charge fares for their autonomous services and expand their vehicle fleets without limitations. Cruise plans to eventually deploy thousands of robotaxis throughout San Francisco.
City officials, including the mayor’s office, have strongly opposed this decision, asserting that the robotaxi industry must address safety concerns before further expansion. The fire department in San Francisco has already logged over 55 cases where robotaxis have interfered with first responders, impeding their ability to navigate the city effectively. Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson has repeatedly emphasized that the technology employed by Cruise and Waymo is not yet ready for widespread adoption.
Despite the resistance from San Francisco’s city officials, the CPUC proceeded with its approval. Commissioner John Reynolds, who previously served as the head lawyer at Cruise, cast one of the three affirmative votes. Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma dissented, arguing that the companies should have first explained how they plan to resolve the roadblocks they have been causing.
In response to the incident in North Beach, Peskin and other city officials are exploring various options to reverse the CPUC decision, including the possibility of seeking a court injunction. Another potential course of action involves imposing substantial fines on Cruise and Waymo for each instance in which their robotaxis disrupt the flow of traffic.
Peskin criticizes the CPUC and Governor Gavin Newsom for prioritizing financial interests over public safety. He believes that the commission, which has faced public scrutiny for some time, has fallen victim to regulatory capture. All CPUC commissioners, including the former Cruise attorney, were appointed by Newsom.
Neither Newsom nor the CPUC have offered immediate comments on the matter. Cruise, on the other hand, acknowledged the incident on Twitter and assured the public that they are actively working on solutions to prevent such disruptions in the future.
While the development of driverless technology holds great promise for the future of transportation, it is vital to address the concerns raised by both city officials and the general public. The responsible implementation of autonomous vehicles should prioritize safety and cooperation with existing infrastructure to ensure a smooth transition into this new era of mobility.
