Meghana KandraSan Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) opposes through a 24-page document showing how Self-driving vehicles are showing unlawful behavior. It is in reference to General Motors Cruise’s promotional video showing passengers. Where they are illegally hopping in and out of the vehicle in the middle of the street.
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San Francisco public transit operator says that Cruise should charge for robotaxi rides. Wednesday promotional videos from the GM unit show that passengers don’t use the curb to enter and leave the taxis. The transportation agency also points out that Cruise’s application fails to effectively plan to be available in low-income and minority neighborhoods as stated initially.
The Agency wrote, “Together, the Cruise Videos document 14 total stops for pick up or drop off of passengers; they provide evidence that not a single one of these stops complied with the requirements of the Vehicle Code and Transportation Code,”
Cruise responded by saying that they will respond to the concerns by Monday. San Francisco is seen as a good testing place for self-driving companies like Cruise and Waymo. But local authorities have treated say on the self-driving technologies including Tesla autopilot.
Denying Cruise application
The San Francisco Transportation Agency responds to the Cruise application by opposing it and adding various reasons. SFMTA has the final say in this decision and Cruise wouldn’t be able to continue launching their vehicles without the approval. SFMTA says that unless Cruise can prove that their technology can recognize unlawful behavior on-street parking, parallel park, and pull into parking lots. Or else it continues to endanger people and also slows down buses in the locality.
In addition to this, the agency criticized Cruise’s initial plan to launch the vehicles in low-lying areas or neighborhoods. It would mean Cruise will just have to focus on servicing 19% of San Francisco’s Hispanic population and 24% of its Black population. The company hasn’t yet started wheelchair-friendly trips. Another issue was pointed out where Cruise stated their vehicles wouldn’t go through light trail lines. However, in its planned outlined areas there is a long light trail line which is hard to avoid.
Unlike California’s regulations which ask for a safety driver and other such regulatory conditions. San Francisco seems to be pushing autonomous vehicles to do more better. The above-mentioned issues weren’t particularly mentioned when Cruise was tested in various areas. Depending on how Cruise responds to these concerns, the progress among other autonomous vehicle companies can also be improvised.