self driving cars

I take every opportunity I can to profile the benefits of driverless cars in enhancing accessibility for the most vulnerable in rural communities. This article provides some very interesting food for thought. It tells us:

We need to be clear from the outset about the social benefits and long-term benefits for public services and regional planning. At the moment, 93% of road accidents are said to be caused by human error; by 2030, again predicted by KPMG, the introduction of driverless vehicles could save 2,500 lives and reduce the number of serious accidents by 25,000 each year.

Greater traffic management could reduce congestion, journey times, CO2 emissions and noise. Use of unstaffed aerial vehicles for deliveries and some public services such as security and monitoring could cut traffic volumes. Driverless vehicles won’t need to be parked in crowded central areas, but out of town. Less traffic, and the ability of autonomous vehicles to get out of the way quickly and to alert other vehicles, could also mean better access for emergency vehicles. Roads and central public areas could be safer for pedestrians through anti-collision and speed control technology.

There’s more: supporters say autonomous vehicles could help public sector workers tackle ageing population issues. More than 1 million UK drivers are aged over 80. Driverless cars could allow mobility and independence for elderly people, without having to rely on subsidised public transport.

They could also offer local authorities a lower-cost option for delivering services such as security, environmental monitoring and refuse collection. Fewer accidents and risks means lower insurance costs. Investment in the necessary infrastructure could be recouped by

The select committee on science and technology is looking at how to such innovations could be delivered, and how the UK could make the most of its early developmental strengths, combining the new tech with existing infrastructure