UTC Media Insight on Two Transportation Stories
Director Dr. P.S. Sriraj Comments on Waymo and Rail Grade Crossing Accident
The future of the Waymo self-driving cars in Illinois and a fatal accident at a rail grade crossing in Elgin made the news in early December of 2025. UTC Director Dr. P.S. Sriraj offered commentary on the two stories.
In a Saturday December 6 report, Dr. Sriraj shared commentary on prospect of Waymo, which operates in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, offering services in Chicago. In the article, published by the Chicago Tribune, Dr. Sriraj noted Chicago's grid street network might prove beneficial to self-driving taxis. The article was written by Talia Soglin and Jeremy Gorner.
And, Dr. Sriraj offered insight into a Sunday December 7 article from reporter Marni Pyke published in the Daily Herald that addressed the October 23 accident where the driver of a pick up truck was killed and two passengers injured after being struck by a freight train at a grade crossing. Dr. Sriraj said the accident would not have taken place if warning gates and lights had functioned properly.