San Francisco launches driverless bus services on Treasure Island
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San Francisco has launched a new service that lets people ride a driverless shuttle around Treasure Island, a former naval base in the middle of the bay. The free shuttle, which runs daily on a fixed route, is part of a pilot program to test how autonomous vehicles can improve public transportation.
A convenient and eco-friendly option?
The shuttle is operated by Beep, a company that has run similar projects in other U.S. communities. The shuttle is electric and has no driver’s seat or steering wheel. It can seat up to 10 passengers and has an attendant who can take over the control if needed. The shuttle drives slowly and cautiously, making seven stops along the Loop, which connects residential areas with shops and community centers.
The city hopes that the shuttle will provide a convenient and eco-friendly option for the about 2,000 residents of Treasure Island, who currently rely on buses and ferries to get around. The shuttle will also help the city gather data and feedback on the performance and safety of autonomous vehicles.
“Having the attendant on board makes everyone feel comfortable,” said Tilly Chang, executive director of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority. “This is just a demonstration for now to see, what it look like and how does it work to have a driverless shuttle in a low-volume, low-speed environment?”
San Francisco is one of the many cities around the world that are experimenting with self-driving vehicles to transform public transportation. However, not everyone is convinced that autonomous vehicles are ready for the streets.
Controversy surrounding robotaxi services
Last week, the California Public Utilities Commission approved two robotaxi companies, Cruise and Waymo, to offer passenger service in San Francisco. The decision sparked controversy, as many people complained that the driverless taxis cause traffic jams, make sudden stops and block emergency vehicles. On Wednesday, the city asked the commission to pause the robotaxi expansion.
On Thursday night, one of Cruise’s robotaxis crashed into a city fire truck, injuring one passenger.
Experts say that driverless buses are less likely to cause such problems, because they are expected to have drivers or attendants on board for the foreseeable future. However, they also point out that autonomous driving technology is not a magic solution for public transportation challenges.
“Trained operators are going to be required even as we increase automation,” said Nikolas Martelaro, an autonomous-vehicle researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. “So the question there may not be how worried should someone be about losing their job versus what should they be thinking about the potential training that’s required.”
Autonomous driving technology could make buses safer and more efficient, but it could also increase the operational costs and reduce the demand for public transit.
“We still have to find a market for them,” said Art Guzzetti, vice president at the American Public Transportation Association.
AP has contributed to this report.
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