Friday, October 6, 2017

PSAC draft resolution to ban the use of autonomous delivery devices on sidewalks

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE OPERATION OF AUTONOMOUS DELIVERY DEVICES ON PUBLIC SIDEWALKS AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS

WHEREAS, Vision Zero is San Francisco’s policy to eliminate all traffic deaths in San Francisco by 2024 and to ensure the safety of our public realm for pedestrians, cyclist and vehicle passengers and drivers; and

WHEREAS, Autonomous Delivery Devices (Devices) are a new technology of significant weight and size that have not been proven safe to travel along public sidewalks or right-of-way; and

WHEREAS, These Devices present numerous safety risks and would be an intrusion in the way of life of the city’s most vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and those with limited vision or mobility; and

WHEREAS, At the May 16, 2017 meeting of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Supervisor Yee introduced an ordinance (File No. 170599) to protect the  public by amending the Public Works and Police Codes to prohibit the operation of these Devices on public sidewalks and right-of-ways and establishing penalties for their unlawful operation; and

WHEREAS, This ordinance aligns with the Guiding Principles for Management of Emerging Mobility Services and Technologies, as adopted by the Transportation Authority Board at its July 25, 2017 meeting, in terms of safety and congestion; and

WHEREAS,  Allowing  these  Devices  to  roam  the  city’s  sidewalks  would  represent the commercialization of the pedestrian right-of-way which is already narrow and congested; and

WHEREAS, San Francisco has prioritized sidewalks for people and changing that priority is contrary to the goals of Vision Zero; and

WHEREAS, This is a private versus public priority and safety is the number one role of the Vision Zero Committee; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Transportation Authority supports the ordinance and urges the  San Francisco Board of Supervisors to adopt it, in order to further the goals of Vision Zero and protect the safety of the general public.