What Effect Will Self-Driving Cars Have On Our Cities?

June 14, 2012 in Daily Bulletin

Timothy B. Lee reflected on how a future where self-driving cars are the norm will affect our urban environment. He assumes that few people will ‘own’ a car and that instead everybody would order self-driving cabs when and where they need them:

  • No more parking spots. During peak hours all the cars will be on the road and during off-peak hours they can just pull over on the side of a street. Cars could double and triple park if they wanted to during times when nobody is using the roads.
  • Higher road density. People will use the car that fits their size requirements so smaller cars will be a lot more prevalent. Since software gives better driving capabilities you could conceivably see two small self-driving cars journey side by side in the same lane.
  • Scaled options. You might order a private self-driving car for $3, or agree to share one with somebody else for $2. A van with lots of other people might only cost $1.

To read more about the implications this would have, including why being in a car will be a more pleasant experience, what it will mean for light rail, why there will be greater density around subway stations, what will happen to metro areas, and many more implications for a future that doesn’t seem too far off, click here.

Source: Forbes

Via: Marginal Revolution