When self-driving taxi company Waymo announced plans last month to launch its service in New Orleans in 2026, the news drew cheers from economic development executives, technophiles and local tourism boosters, who said the city's role as an early adopter of the evolving technology gives travelers another reason to visit.

Experts say additional benefits of Waymo's rollout in New Orleans could include lower carbon emissions, fewer accidents and reduced insurance costs.

But the high-profile company's planned arrival also brings concerns.

Some New Orleanians wonder if Waymo can safely operate in a town with notoriously bad streets, endless construction and a rowdy party culture. Rideshare and taxi drivers worry that the autonomous vehicle startup's entry into the market will threaten thei

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