Autonomous vehicles were supposed to cut traffic—what if they don't?
A study of Waymo's robotaxi operations in San Francisco reveals that nearly half of the miles driven are 'deadheading,' or driving without passengers. This data challenges the assumption that autonomous vehicles will automatically reduce traffic congestion.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that current autonomous vehicle business models may not solve urban traffic issues as effectively as proponents initially claimed.
greatful deadhead Autonomous vehicles were supposed to cut traffic—what if they don t? Data shows Waymo s robotaxis are empty for almost half of the miles they drive.
The article presents empirical data from a study to evaluate a common claim about autonomous technology.
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