Discussion: Peasants in the countryside?@)(;.)& b

WTF are you talking about?
Us peasants need to drive to get all thecool places that have fresh air and snow!

Don't know if you've figured it out, but living in the countryside and having to supply your own transportation has always been the lifestyle of the improverished peasantry...up until the twentieth century. Historically speaking, only wealthy, entitled people had country estates, and they also had drivers; they didn't drive themselves.

With the 'return to the city' movement of the past 20 years or so, more and more people prefer to live in the city; the suburbs are turning into ghettos. And for good reason: driving is no longer a pleasure, it's a chore. Dangerous too, and environmentally unsustainable. Much better to have convenient access to a modern transit system, which soon will include autonomous cars.

We all know things are soon going to change....Big time!

With autonomous cars, Americans will finally be able to drive their "people in car" average below 1!

Interesting point, they could send them empty to pick up the kids, the groceries, etc. Not have to step out the door at all. Or drop somebody off at work, and then come back for the stay at home spouse...actually people could get by w fewer cars if they planned it right. But not necessarily fewer miles. How's that for a topological problem, Rick?

...."people in car" average below 1...

Well I've seen scenarios that imagine no private cars! Highways completely automated, with no chance for human error, drunks, or driver miscalculations. In that case, cars would be programmed to optimize their travel, often picking up several nearby riders at reduced fares. So occupancy averages would soar far above 1.

Such a system would favor city dwellers; folks still living in distant suburbs or in the country would have service too...but very expensive! Both in terms of waiting times and costs.