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Will Self-Driving Cars Clog Our Highways? (go.com)

An anonymous reader writes: While self-driving cars may be safer and cheaper, the Associated Press warns they could also create massive traffic congestion. "The problem, say transportation researchers, is that people will use them too much." One auto industry expert predicts that self-driving cars will increase travel by those over 65, as well as those between 16 and 24, resulting in at least 2 trillion extra miles being driven each year. In addition, "Airlines also may face new competition as people choose to travel by car at speeds well over 100 mph between cities a few hundred miles apart instead of flying," and faster commute times could mean more urban sprawl as workers may spread into cheaper neighborhoods that are further from the city center.

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  1. Re:I weep for the airline industry. by thegarbz · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    And even aside from the TSA goons, they've reduced seat pitch, cut amenities, overbooked flights, run flights behind schedule or cancelled them,, eliminated meal services, and started nickel-and-diming with every sort of added fee imaginable, all 100% on their own initiative.

    Yeah curse those damn nickle and diming airlines, with their reduced comfort and services in an effort to produce a low cost service. Pox on those who offer me an international service across Europe that takes only 3 hours for less than the cost of an Uber from my house to the airport. Those bastards making airline so ludicrously cheap that they are lining up and overfilling planes. Things were much better 20 years ago when plane travel was reserved for the wealthy, and now I have to sit cramped with common folk while I'm whisked away across the continent at the speed of sound for the equivalent cost of 2 movie tickets. *spits* /sarcasm

    Now to the real bit. What in the actual hell are you talking about you entitled little brat! In what world could you possibly imagine that the airline industry (not the TSA, I wholeheartedly agree with you on that one) hasn't been a HUGE improvement. We are now in a world where you're offered more services to more destinations than ever before for prices that have never been lower. Don't like the service in economy or budget airlines, don't fly them. Want the same leg room as you had 10 years ago? They are called exit row seats and even if you pay for the upgrade you're still better off financially then you were back then. If you're really stuck well you can get why not pay good ol' 80s airpline prices for a business class trip, and feel like a star in those poor poor few hours where they are taking you to another country.

    Flying in many cases now is the cheapest form of transport. Cheaper than train, and cheaper than fuel for the car, in some cases even if you car pool with multiple people.

    Oh and fuck the TSA's bullshit.