Robot cars could lead to increased traffic

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON — Self-driving cars are expected to usher in a new era of mobility, safety and convenience. The problem, say transportation researchers, is that people will use them too much.

Experts foresee robot cars chauffeuring children to school, dance class and baseball practice. The disabled and elderly will have new mobility. Commuters will be able to work, sleep, eat or watch movies on the way to the office. People may stay home more because they can send their cars to do things like pick up groceries they’ve ordered online.

Researchers believe the number of miles driven will skyrocket. It’s less certain whether that will mean a corresponding surge in traffic congestion, but it’s a clear possibility.

Gary Silberg, an auto industry expert at accounting firm KPMG, compares it to the introduction of smartphones. “It will be indispensable to your life,” he said. “It will be all sorts of things we can’t even think of today.”

Cars that can drive themselves under limited conditions are expected to be available within five to 10 years. Versions able to navigate under most conditions may take 10 to 20 years.

Based on focus groups in Atlanta, Denver and Chicago, KPMG predicts autonomous “mobility-on-demand” services — think Uber and Lyft without a driver — will result in double-digit increases in travel by people in two age groups: those over 65, and those 16 to 24.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20160516/NEWS02/160519371

[TrappedInUtah]

1. Too early to worry about this IMO

I think we're at minimum 30-40 years away from truly capable self-driving cars.

[Major Nikon]

6. I think it will be more like a phased in approach

At first it will only be in certain areas on certain roads and as the technology improves it will expand.

[HuckleB]

2. Ah, perfect for industry.

Robot cars can get bigger, so you can spend "family time" during that long commute to work and school, you know, watching sports and Fox News, of course. No board games or books allowed.

The dance party car will be cool, but, yeah, it might get ticketed for excessive slowing of traffic.

Hmm.

[Albertoo]

3. Interesting. Possibly means taxes on car use in congested cities

[Massacure]

4. It may lead to increased traffic, but there is a mitigating factor as well

A car that is driven by a robot could be fed data that optimizes the route it will drive. A computer is much better at route optimization than a human is.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Assuming alternatives are available

I've known of some people who've resented their residential streets being turned into thoroughfares.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

7. My Grand Pap had a horse and buggy,

he would sleep on the way home from the tavern and the horse always got him home safe, it had to cross a stream too!

[Skittles]

8. I don't have a smart phone so obviously it is not indispensable to my life

[Odin2005]

9. As someone who can't drive because of my Asperger's, robocars can't come soon enough.

[raccoon]

12. As someone who is approaching seniorhood, I second that emotion. nt

[whatthehey]

10. Increased density is not increased congestion

Waiting for a human driver to stop texting and move away from a red light taxes a few seconds, then the blissninny following him takes a while to respond and, wisely, leaves a cushion behind an unpredictable driver to cover for his reaction time just in case, and the whole delay oscillates back the queue like a sine wave. Given immediate reactions, no distractions, and a consistent gap which requires only physical braking distance, you could fit twice as many cars on the same roads.

[KittyWampus]

11. Rather than make Food Delivery more affordable, Children's Activities more communal,

and use Adult Transportation… everyone has to have their own individual car.

It's an extremely dysfunctional way to address societal needs.

Individualism run amok.

[Orrex]

15. True, but the individual can do almost nothing to correct that

"Everyone has to have their own individual car" because there's no viable alternative. The only job I've found that will support my family is 35 miles from my house, so I can either drive or I can stay home and go broke.

I'd guess that more than 99% of the US doesn't have a fully functional public transportation system, so the choices are either drive yourself, bum a ride from a pal, walk, bike or take a cab (or an Uber, ha ha).

[Darb]

13. Actually, the opposite is true.

The robot cars stay closer together, move in unison, do not hesitate between behind other cars in front of them in turn lanes or in traffic. They run closer together. It will also decrease fuel consumption.

[KittyWampus]

14. Not if you factor in the amount of additional cars being used for "smaller tasks".

American society needs to learn how to 'share' transportation with our neighbors.

[dembotoz]

16. soooooo we have given up on mass transit?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

17. Interestingly I've heard some mass transit foes use driverless cars for that reason

I live in the Seattle area and we're voting on a $50 billion transit measure this fall.

As one who's worked in the tech business for 30+ years I know some innovations don't always work as promised.

[Rex]

18. Could lead to increased accidents with hackers and viruses leading the way.

No thanks, I will drive my own car.