Forecast: Automated Highways

A few weeks back my brother and I were discussing the possibility of working in Los Angeles. My main concern was traffic congestion because being stuck in it tends to bring out the worst in me. Then I read this chapter about “Automated Highways” by William Halal in his book Technology’s Promise. Halal proposes this faster, affordable way to travel by equipping cars with sensors and wireless communications to control the steering, speed and braking on electronic lanes. The cars would be spaced at close intervals, almost bumper to bumper, like convoys. This would double or triple the current highway capacity, improve safety from collisions, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Although this forecast is about 10 years ahead, we already have some provisions to support this automation. Japan is introducing a system that automatically returns rented cars and smart taxis. In the United States, Ford confirms that technologies to automate systems to reduce collisions adapt cruise control, maintain spacing between cars is in place. These cars are referred to as “intelligent cars”. The younger generation would be more likely to yield control of their driving to these systems to read a book or play a game, so the market is ready.