Fleet Week is back in San Francisco this week, and the city is trying to make sure the crowds don't grind the waterfront to a halt. One of the biggest changes this year targets driverless cars.
According to NBC Bay Area, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will set up a geofence covering a large part of the waterfront starting Friday. Inside that zone, autonomous vehicles won't be allowed to pick up or drop off passengers. Robotaxis will also be kept out of the Presidio. The limits apply from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Who can still drive there
The restrictions are aimed only at self-driving cars. Regular taxis, rideshare drivers and private vehicles can still use the waterfront, and all public transit will keep running. City officials say the goal is to avoid a repeat of the traffic jams that followed this year's Fourth of July fireworks.
Mayor Daniel Lurie told the station that the city is working with autonomous vehicle companies and that SFMTA has made changes to keep traffic from backing up. "We're always trying to improve," he said.
At least one resident who plans to watch the Blue Angels told NBC Bay Area he supports the plan, saying driverless cars can struggle with big crowds and sometimes simply stop.
A full week of events
The festivities started Tuesday with a free lunchtime concert at Salesforce Park downtown by a brass quintet from the First Marine Division. It was the first of roughly 50 performances that Navy and Marine musicians are scheduled to give over five days. Ship tours and the Blue Angels air shows are also on the schedule, and the city expects more than a million visitors.
Organizers are hoping for a strong turnout after last year's event, when the Navy and Marines did not take part because of a budget standoff in Congress.
Planning your trip
If you're heading to the waterfront this weekend and usually take a Waymo or another robotaxi, plan to be dropped off outside the restricted area during the daytime hours, or use Muni, a regular rideshare or a taxi instead. Check SFMTA for the exact boundaries before you go.