[ExI] Driverless buses rather than cars?

[BillK]

Slashdot points to an interesting article that suggests that robot
buses could happen before robot cars.
<http://www.humantransit.org/2014/11/luca-guala-driverless-buses-will-be-more-transformative-than-driverless-taxis.html>

There are already driverless trains running. Fixed route, fixed stops,
automated signalling, etc.
Similarly, robot buses should be much simpler (and cheaper) to build
than cars. The routes and stops are fixed, so no need for large maps.
There could be separate bus lanes, but the best road space usage would
be if the buses knew enough to mix in with normal traffic. Mini
electric buses could be used on less popular routes.

The point was made that robot cars would mean car traffic in cities
would still be very dense, driving nose-to-tail. (Faster robot
reactions mean cars driving safely closer together). Robot buses
should reduce traffic jams more than robot cars.

This would fit in with the younger millennial generation, who don't
buy cars and prefer to bike and walk around town.


BillK