Vol Texan wrote:I don't currently embrace this technology, but I could see a situation where it could be (slowly) implemented safely. Here in Houston, I live out on the west side of town. Right down the middle of I-10, we have the four managed lanes of traffic. If you enter those, you'll either be paying a toll or you'll qualify as an HOV, negating the tolls.
Every couple of miles, there is a toll booth. Left lane is free (HOV) and right lane is pay (non-HOV toll road). However, the idiots that are HOV believe that since they will need to pass the toll booth in the left lane several miles from now, they should stay in that lane the whole time. Idiots, indeed, and they impede traffic flow.
I could imagine (and actually agree with) a situation where one day they decide that these managed lanes are for self-driving cars only. No entry for 'normal cars', and once you enter this part of the road, it must be auto-driving. Once you depart the managed lanes, you are free to return to commanding your own vehicle.
In that limited situation, I'd probably like riding in that lane. Fewer left-lane hoggers (my biggest peeve on the road), and a smoother flow of traffic. If they'd then continue that lane all the way into downtown Houston (or at least the option to stay in that lane), that would be great. The congestion in the limited area of downtown could also be eased if 100% of the cars were self-driving.
I guess that's where I draw the line. Self driving-only lanes or areas would be enough for me to try it out willingly.
Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be given the option, and eventually, it will be forced upon all of us, as the OP opined.
I guess that when they force-feed us, it'll be time to buy a motorcycle again. I doubt they can require them to be self-driving.
The smaller the space between each vehicle, the less congestion. If all vehicles were self driving, and the technology was perfected, then in theory, "self driving only" lanes could handle a much greater traffic flow, at higher speeds, than "human driver" lanes. This would improve the commutes of every driver, even if you are not using the technology / special lanes.
If the government really wanted to implement this, they could accelerate the adoption through a combination of higher speeds in the "self driving only" lanes, no tolls, and tax credits on the vehicle purchases. Southern California would probably be on the leading edge for a variety of reasons.