Self-Driving Waymo Vehicles Cause Traffic Jam at Fifth Ward Rail Crossing, Frustrating Residents

Residents in Houston’s Fifth Ward have voiced growing dissatisfaction with traffic slowdowns linked to Waymo’s autonomous vehicles at a key rail crossing. Observers note that these self-driving cars often pause for extended durations while navigating the crossing, leading to backups that disrupt the flow of daily commuters. This hesitation not only causes frustration but also impedes emergency vehicles and complicates pedestrian and cyclist movement in the area.

Main concerns raised by the community include:

• Increased waiting periods during rush hours
• Intersection blockages causing spillover congestion
• Compromised safety and accessibility for non-motorized road users
• Insufficient signaling or alerts from autonomous vehicles to surrounding traffic