Robocar Terror: Ex-NY Traffic Chief's Thriller

Sam Schwartz, a prominent figure in New York transportation policy and the originator of the term "gridlock," has ventured into speculative fiction with his debut novel, "Autokill." The book, co-authored with Cary Pepper and set for release on August 18, 2026, presents a suspenseful narrative about a terrorist plot to transform autonomous vehicles into deadly weapons.

With extensive experience as a former cabdriver, NYC traffic commissioner, and transportation consultant, Schwartz brings unique qualifications to this genre. He was instrumental in New York's congestion pricing and now chairs a transportation research program at Hunter College. Schwartz has long expressed reservations about the public's perception of autonomous vehicles, noting their potential for misuse by malicious actors.

The novel, "Autokill," is set in the 2030s and centers on Richard Corby, a professor mourning the loss of his wife to a driverless car. Corby becomes entangled with a federal agent investigating vehicle malfunctions, leading them to uncover a plot called the "Horizon Event"—a catastrophic attack on New York planned by an anti-AV extremist.

Weaving in transportation history, including the development of seatbelts and critiques of the car industry, the novel aims to be both thrilling and informative. Schwartz collaborated with playwright Cary Pepper, a college fraternity brother, to bring the story to life.

The book's publisher, Open Road Integrated Media, is led by David Steinberger, who considers Schwartz a mentor. Steinberger, a former deputy transportation commissioner, was fired after whistleblowing about bridge conditions. "Autokill" follows Schwartz's 2018 nonfiction work, "No One at the Wheel," which examined the promise and perils of AVs.

"Autokill" arrives as the autonomous vehicle industry faces both expansion and regulatory hurdles. Companies like Waymo operate in numerous cities but encounter legislative challenges, as seen in New York where Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew a proposal to expand AV taxi services in February. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also expressed skepticism about AVs in the city.

Schwartz's research program has warned that Waymo taxis in New York could increase traffic and pollution due to extended cruising without passengers. While Waymo disputes these findings, Schwartz emphasizes that his novel does not target specific companies, having personally felt safe during his research rides in San Francisco. He remains concerned about AV vulnerabilities but believes in their future, advocating for their safe and proper implementation.