Experts Warn AVs Are Not the Answer for New York City

Panelists say autonomous vehicles are a 'solution to a problem that's not defined' and could make transportation in the city less safe and efficient.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:05am

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A highly detailed, 3D macro illustration of a network of illuminated fiber-optic cables, sensors, and cybernetic processors, representing the complex digital systems underlying autonomous vehicle technology. The image is bathed in a vibrant glow of neon cyan and magenta lights, grounding the abstract concept of self-driving cars in a tangible, high-tech reality.As cities grapple with the promises and perils of autonomous vehicles, this glowing digital infrastructure illustrates the complex technological systems at the heart of the debate.NYC Today

A panel of transportation experts at a recent event hosted by the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College expressed skepticism about the role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in New York City. The panelists, including Peter Norton, author of 'Fighting Traffic,' Rachel Weinberger of the Regional Plan Association, and journalist David Zipper, argued that AVs are not the solution to the city's transportation challenges and could even make the situation worse. They criticized the AV companies' focus on profit over public good and called for a more comprehensive public debate on the role of this emerging technology.

Why it matters

New York City is one of the most densely populated and transit-dependent cities in the US, with 60% of all transit rides in the country taking place there. The panelists argued that the path forward for the city should be to improve and expand its robust public transit system, not to accommodate individualized transportation like AVs, which they see as an inefficient use of limited urban space.

The details

The panelists criticized the AV companies' focus on profit over public safety and mobility, noting that the companies have shown little interest in deploying their technology in rural areas where it could have a greater impact on safety and access. They also pointed to incidents in other cities, such as Waymo vehicles driving past school bus stop signs in Austin, as evidence that the technology is not yet ready for widespread deployment. The experts called for stronger regulation and public oversight to ensure that AVs are developed and deployed in a way that aligns with the city's transportation priorities.

  • In 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul ended Waymo's testing of AV taxis in New York City.
  • Last year, 205 people were killed in traffic crashes in New York City, the lowest number since 1910 with no autonomous vehicles on the roads.

The players

Peter Norton

Author of the book 'Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City' and a panelist at the event.

Rachel Weinberger

Transportation expert from the Regional Plan Association and a panelist at the event.

David Zipper

Journalist and a panelist at the event who has been critical of the claims made by autonomous vehicle companies.

Anthony Perez

A representative from Waymo who participated in an earlier panel but did not stay for the critical final two panels.

Gersh Kuntzman

Editor of Streetsblog, who asked a question to the earlier panel.

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What they’re saying

“We can't talk about the benefits of robotic cars alone. We can't talk about the risks of robotic cars alone, and we can't talk about regulation alone. We have to have all of those things in the room together.”

— Peter Norton, Author

“If the goal is to reduce crashes, there's a lot of other things we could be doing. But frankly, if the goal of the AV companies is reduce crashes, they could potentially do a lot of good by going to rural areas.”

— David Zipper, Journalist

“We haven't decided what we want. And while we're baffing about not deciding, we're allowing a new technology that's driven by the logic of capitalism to push in to our city with an expectation that we'll accommodate.”

— Rachel Weinberger, Transportation Expert

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.