Autonomous Car Implications Part 2

Driving aspects of the Autonomous Car are varied and far reaching. Below are numerous considerations that must be accounted for.

Commuting: Commuting not only will take on an entirely new look, but the Auto/Ecars will also have complex human g-force tolerance software code. Of course, excessive tire wear would be avoided. The Auto/Ecars will be all about efficiency unless having allowed exceptions. For
example, during rush hour, the vehicles will be closely spaced together for reduced travel times and space efficiency. This not only can be visually uncomfortable for some, but will exceptions or levels be programmed for sightseeing or comfort levels?

The already ridiculous carpool/HOV lanes that essentially force the majority of vehicles into less lanes will require a serious re-think and hopefully an early abolishment. The intelligence grid will have to allow the Auto/Ecars to access the lane for efficiency, especially if there is an accident or hazard in another lane. The most efficient, safest car on the road won’t be allowed in the HOV lane if there is a solo occupant? What a joke, a waste of gas and a waste of battery electricity (which must be re-charged) if bogged down in the slower lanes. But will they really be slower?

The AutoCar/Ecars will enable extremely efficient traffic flow with virtually everyone traveling at a constant speed. It will truly reveal how efficient the traffic lights signals, merge lanes and on/off ramps really are in design for traffic management. When synching with other vehicles is enabled, drafting will allow for significantly more vehicles in a given space as well as the reduced energy consumption. It mayvbe optional or only allowed in middle or left lanes where traffic isn’t merging on and off the highway.

City driving: City driving will present the most challenges that will evolve from suburban issues. Traffic lights will likely communicate the timing of the lights to the automated vehicles so that sudden stops are avoided. The gray area of going through an intersection while yellow could
cause a host of issues with pedestrians and Self-drivers. Will an autonomous car turn right on red when the oncoming vehicle has a yellow? Be prepared for minute delays programmed for cautionary reasons versus some of your driving habits. Also intersections will have accessible data for vehicle counts in a given stretch of road to prevent gridlock by vehicles stopping in intersections.
There will be a conflict of efficiency vs. travel speeds due to the safety factor.

If the Auto/Ecar is safer, why not allow 85-100mph or higher speeds? My prediction is the 65-75mph zone in most major metropolitan areas will remain for multiple reasons:
1. Higher speeds will mean a faster consumption for the battery charge or fuel due to aerodynamic drag.
2. Equipment wear will be accelerated – tires, brakes, etc.
3. Few roads will enable such speeds without uncomfortable later g-loading causing panic or unfamiliar feelings for the passengers.

Adverse Weather Conditions: Speeds may not drop very much but will require messaging to be sent to vehicles in a particular zone when a hazard is present. For instance, when standing water is identified by camera, a sensor or a tire experiencing hydroplaning is sensed by the traction control
(some modern cars already shut off the cruise control when this occurs), then a slowdown will occur, potentially with a reason announced for the occupants and an alert issued for that particluar road sector.

Other cars on road: There will have to be an established standard as to whether or not traffic violations observed by the exterior view cameras are reported. Essentially mobile traffic cameras, if the AutoCar/Ecar observes another vehicle overtaking it by 15-20mph on a multi-lane highway, or
rolling through a stop-sign, does it get reported automatically by the AutoCar/Ecar?

Accidents: It will be inevitable accidents will still occur. Self drivers will make mistakes as they currently do as well as a myriad of reasons. But will sensors and vision systems be able to differentiate from a deer or a fallen branch as opposed to blowing leaves? How close will it drive
next to parked cars? What happens when a car door opens? An errant traffic cone will cause extreme maneuvers to avoid vehicle damage. What happens when heads are turned in conversation with each other when brakes are applied with full force or extreme steering maneuvers occur?

Motorcyclists: The motorcyclist may be the last bastion of the self-driver despite eventual safety equipment, noise and emission requirements. But with distracted and poor drivers eventually being reduced by the AutoCar/Ecar, motorcycling will become safer. And potentially more popular
which is a good thing.

A former high tech industry executive and driving enthusiast with racing school and vast vehicle experience expressed joy in driving his own cars while still realizing virtually all the dynamics are computer monitored and controlled in a modern vehicle. However, a long, monotonous drive could make an AutoCar/Ecar a desirable option. But the big fear is the prejudice against self-drivers and inevitable government mandates of minimum AutoCar/Ecars in a manufacturer’s fleet, usage areas and commute times.

The Autonomous Car is an inevitable reality, but why? It is an exercise in technology coming to fruition that will lead to more monitoring, laws, infrastructure costs, enforcement and inevitable government presence with interference in our daily lives, even when alone. Yes, lives will be saved, but if driving under the influence was reduced and current safety technology more widespread, fatality rates will drop as they already have been. And will us, the enthusiast, be able to drive ourselves without penalty, marginalization and restriction?