Are you sure the only way autonomous cars can help is with 100% market penetration? How about * Better carpooling options * Automatically taking side streets

Are you sure the only way autonomous cars can help is with 100% market penetration? How about * Better carpooling options * Automatically taking side streets (based on traffic) to reduce load * Less swerving/lane changing/rubbernecking which causes backups * Detecting and responding to traffic waves (a few cars can make a difference) * Reduced urban parking needs (fewer cars endlessly circling, a huge fraction of traffic) It goes on.