No one here should realistically think that Waymo can solve the main transportation problem. It will just (partially) replace Uber, Lyft, and taxis. And it will have a better passenger experience and it will also be safer. It’s obvious that cars, autonomous or not, can’t replace rail, bicycles, and walking.

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IshKebab 4 days ago | parent [-]

I think it could solve a lot of transportation problems though. In theory if driverless vehicles were ubiquitous you'd have no on-street parking, no commercial transport in the day (do it all at night), much less traffic (just wait until your slot; maybe with peak time pricing), fewer delays due to crashes, etc.

When nobody drives manually you could even do things like getting rid of traffic lights.

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DauntingPear7 3 days ago | parent [-]

But then you get into a world where people can’t cross the street (moreso than what’s already available). I recall seeing a video on YouTube that explores your suggestion to its inevitable conclusion. Additionally, this could exacerbate suburban sprawl

	▲	IshKebab 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		I don't think so - you could still have pedestrian controlled crossings - press a button and the cars will stop. You just don't need any lights. You might not even need buttons - driverless cars are already going to have to handle zebra crossings somehow.