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> But self driving cars will do nothing to reduce traffic. I think self-driving cars could (and probably will) net worsen the traffic problem, but the above is
by wpietri 4y ago
> But self driving cars will do nothing to reduce traffic.
I think self-driving cars could (and probably will) net worsen the traffic problem, but the above is not necessarily correct. If we ever get them working properly, self-driving cars can collaborate in ways that humans can't. E.g., imagine a busy freeway. In theory, cars going similar ways could form a sort of peoloton, communicating with one another about intention and circumstance. So you could have a group of cars going from one city to another traveling at high speed very close together, saving fuel and space.
But yes, generally anytime we make something easier, people do it more, so I expect any road efficiency gains to be swamped by increased demand.
- ziml77 4y agoThe problem is that every vehicle participating in that network would have to be owned and operated by a trusted entity. Otherwise it would be too easy for someone to modify the software or tamper with the hardware in ways that cause information to be misreported and cause a mess.
- HDThoreaun 4y agoAnd then the person who owns that car gets charged with murder when it crashes on the highway
- f6v 4y agoImagine every laptop, tablet, phone, watch had the same charger that was 100% compatible with all the devices. What a world would that be.