No One at the Wheel: Samuel Schwartz with Iris Weinshall

If all roads lead to a future of driverless cars, will we be in better shape as a society?

In a moment when the world faces a seismic change—eliminating the need for drivers to get behind the wheel—leading transportation expert Sam Schwartz takes stock of where we’re headed and how best to get there. Schwartz, who served as New York City’s traffic commissioner and the Department of Transportation’s chief engineer, cautions that if we let civic leaders sit back and wait to see what happens, rather than setting policy ahead of the game, corporations will control the narrative. Humanity could find itself  in “global gridlock” by 2050 if we continue on the path we’re on—a continued emphasis on individual car ownership, technology that outdates existing models at an ever-increasing pace, and figures like Elon Musk denigrating public transit. 

Schwartz will be joined in conversation by Iris Weinshall who served as commissioner of New York City’s Department of Transportation from 2000 to 2007, and is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer of The New York Public Library.  

FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED

Registration does not guarantee admission. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A stand by line will form thirty minutes before the program.

The Program Room opens at 6 PM.

ASL interpretation and real-time (CART) captioning available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance by emailing accessibility@nypl.org.