David ZipperSep 2, 2024

In The Verge, I explained why self-driving cars could be a disaster for climate change and road safety -- even if they work perfectly.

The answer lies in the Jevons paradox, a classic 19th century economic theory.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/2/24232386/self-driving-car-jevons-paradox-robotaxi-waymo-cruise

#climate #climatechange #cars

What a 160-year-old theory about coal predicts about our self-driving future

The Jevons paradox originated in the coal era, but it has a lot to teach us about the future of self-driving cars.

The Verge
Show threadMike FraserSep 2, 2024
@davidzipper The paradox assumes increased usage but wouldn't autonomous driving eliminate the joyride or the scenic route? Wouldn't the point be to eliminate inefficient driving with a more efficient on demand option?
Show threadadditionalcontextSep 2, 2024
@mike @davidzipper it seems like those uses would still exist though?
Show threadMike FraserSep 2, 2024
@freeheelin @davidzipper I'm thinking more like if an autonomous car service replaced car ownership.
Show threadPete
@mike @freeheelin @davidzipper
My sense is that the trips that drive congestion are not "joyrides" or trips for pleasure, but rather, trips during peak hours like commuting, school drop-off or pick-up, lunch rush, etc. I could be wrong, but even if autonomous vehicles eliminated all the scenic drives, it would still make traffic and congestion worse, while still undermining transit.
Sep 2, 2024 at 7:56pmWeb