Episode 37: What If Every Car Was Automated? - The Future of Traffic
Forget flying cars - the real transportation revolution is happening now. What would traffic look like if we took human error completely out of the equation? Spoiler alert: it's not full automation that wins.
Inspired by a simple question about what driving will look like in 50 years, this episode explores the fascinating world of automated traffic flow and why the future might look more like airline autopilot than sci-fi fantasy.
What We Cover:
- How automation solves phantom jams and tailgating instantly
- Vehicle-to-vehicle communication that prevents accordion effects
- The efficiency numbers: 30-40% capacity increase with just 50% automation
- The psychology of "eerily calm" automated traffic
- Why full automation might feel sterile and remove driving personality
- The hybrid future: automotive autopilot systems like commercial aviation
- Keeping humans in the loop while gaining technological benefits
Key Takeaway: The most realistic future isn't taking humans out of driving, but giving us incredibly smart co-pilots to navigate traffic more safely and efficiently.
What's your take? Ready for automotive autopilot, or do you want full control?
Relevant Links:
- SAE Automation Levels: https://www.sae.org/news/2019/01/sae-updates-j3016-automated-driving-graphic
- NHTSA Automated Vehicle Research: https://www.nhtsa.gov/technology-innovation/automated-vehicles
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication: https://www.its.dot.gov/v2v/
Hashtags: #AutomatedCars #SelfDriving #TrafficTech #AutomotiveAutopilot #SmartCars #TransportationFuture #TrafficFlow #DrivingPsychology #RoadSafety #HybridAutomation
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Randy A Keith
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