Doctor M. PopularAug 8, 2023

Have you ever noticed that most self-driving cars don't have any passengers?

"Deadheading" is an industry term for keeping driverless cars in constant motion, even when they have neither a passenger nor a destination. Waymo & Cruise rely on deadheading to avoid paying for parking.

Why pay the city for public parking when you can store your car on the road for free (as long as it's moving)?

Since I've started keeping track, I've noticed that over 90% of the self-driving cars I see are empty...

Show threadBill Plein🌶Aug 8, 2023

@docpop @jwz Driverless cars add to congestion.

Driver owned (and parked) cars use up valuable space in cities that could be used for business or housing.

The answer isn’t driverless cars. It’s mass transportation.

Show threadAngie
@bplein @docpop @jwz Mass transportation isn't the answer for all when they don't allow people to travel with their pets.
Aug 8, 2023 at 5:51amMastodon for Android
Show threadBill Plein🌶Aug 8, 2023

@ang6666 @docpop @jwz

Use your car then.

I didn't claim we need to eliminate cars. It's OK to have a mix, but our current mix (especially in most of the US) isn't ideal.

Show threadPamela EhnAug 10, 2023
@ang6666 @bplein @docpop @jwz I’ve never had trouble traveling with my pet on mass transit. But then he’s a small cat in a carrier. Buses, subways, no problem. I’ve had more trouble taking Uber with my cat than I’ve had with mass transit. But this is NY. Do they actually prohibit that in CA? It seems to me that could be a violation of the ADA given how many disabled people have service animals.
Show threadAngieAug 10, 2023
@cadenza @bplein @docpop @jwz I am not disabled. And I have two huskies. Not small dogs. They say small dogs in carriers are allowed, so not something that I can do with mine.