San Francisco's theoretically car-free Market Street is set for the introduction of Waymo's self-driving cars. As part of a larger effort by Mayor Daniel Lurie to revitalize the city's downtown area and bolster local businesses, these autonomous vehicles are expected to start transporting passengers as early as this summer. The move aligns with the city's history of transportation innovation, dating back to the introduction of cable cars and the rebuilding after the 1906 earthquake.
With safety and sustainability as stated priorities, Mayor Lurie's administration and city officials promise to maintain efficient Muni operations along Market Street. However, this decision to invite Waymo onto a street currently limited to public transit, taxis, and commercial vehicles appears to gleefully disregard the potential consequences on traffic and transit efficiency. Critics have voiced concerns that the plan may undermine the gains in street safety since Market Street's car-free policy was enacted, leading to a 40% sustained drop in crashes according to SFGate.
Despite the pushback, the city remains committed to the project, and Waymo has already been greenlit to begin mapping the Market Street corridor with humans behind the wheel before launching fully driverless rides. This initiative forms a part of Mayor Lurie's broader vision, which includes streamlining permitting and supporting small businesses through programs like First Year Free, as detailed in a statement obtained by the San Francisco government's official website.
Yet, the ongoing debate has not only to capture attention from transit enthusiasts and technophiles but also from those wary of the potential risks. "Mayor Lurie's unilateral decision to give Waymo free rein on Market Street is dangerous, undemocratic, and inequitable," Dylan Fabris, community and policy manager at San Francisco Transit Riders, told SFGate. The concern is exacerbated by the SFMTA's projected $320 million deficit next year, inciting proposals to curtail some Muni services on Market Street—a move opponents argue could worsen conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
While Waymo's presence in San Francisco isn't new, with paid rides already operational in other parts of the city and surrounding regions, this marks a significant expansion upon one of the city's most central and historically significant avenues. The company also recently received a permit to map roads at San Francisco International Airport, signaling continued growth and integration into the region's transportation ecosystem.
