Cars that never have a driver could be much smaller. Eventually what we need for this scenario in congested areas is a driving decision protocol that's based on consensus with neighboring cars, some kind of leader election algorithm, etc. If all cars were full self driving they could in some situations drive at super high speeds as a swarm, you wouldn't even need stoplights.
I love your optimism. I predict the GP is correct though, since everyone will want one of those Mercedes megavans to set up a comfortable bed or office while stuck in traffic. There's no way I'm going to sleep or work in a tiny self driving smartcar.
Since they'll autopark or circle anyway, their size no longer becomes a limiting factor for most people.
I'll save money and get there faster on a bicycle. There won't be any human drivers, so they will all yield to me even if I treat them like slalom poles.
There won't be any human drivers, so they will all yield to me even if I treat them like slalom poles.
I genuinely laughed when I read your post, but there is some truth to it. Most of these posts here are "doomers". Ignoring that for a moment, no one (except you) has talked about pedestrians or bicyclists. One "hack" that sounds great as a walker/rider: In a world of 99% self-driving cars, just walk/ride anywhere you want. Literally, casually cross a ten lane expressway. All the self-driving cars will bow dutifully to you!
This thought experiment sounds like a performance art dream. Do you remember the artist who created a Google maps traffic jam in London by filling a wagon with mobile phones and walking slowly? Ref: https://www.simonweckert.com/googlemapshacks.html
Another thing: You can sabotage self-driving cars by putting traffic cones everywhere. Or sit in the middle of a major intersect with ten of your friends and read the newspaper (or pick your nose!). The passengers will be furious, and the self-driving cars won't know what to do.
