Quizás hayas notado que en Argot, we’ve had frequent discussions about self-driving cars. There’s no denying it, the technology is coming whether we want it to or not. In this race between automakers to perfect the tech, regulators have struggled to put together comprehensive and coherent contracts regarding their use and presence on our roads. And so it falls on both automakers and other groups to give self-driving cars some tests to be studied. After all, before any new technology, let alone something as innovative as self-driving cars, you have to be prepared for every eventuality.

And we did not have to wait long for a proper and in-depth study to emerge in 2018. We now have a study about self-driving cars, courtesy of the city of Boston. Boston researchers found that self-driving cars would significantly help cities in terms of making them safer. They may even reduce metropolitan carbon footprints. There will be more available parking and reliable transportation. However, Boston researchers also found that in order to make all of these things a reality, it will take significant investments. You must also seriously factor in comprehensive coordination and planning in order to get these on the road.

¿Quién organizó este estudio sobre coches autónomos?

Let’s step back a bit. It should be noted that the report was mostly optimistic about the benefits of self-driving cars. But who conducted it? This study was put together as a joint project between the Boston Consulting Group and the World Economic Forum.

When they teamed up, they used the first six months of a self-driving vehicle test program conducted in Boston. That program was courtesy of the software makers NuTonomy, Optimus Ride, and auto supplier Delphi Automotive. They used Boston because of the renowned, vibrant technology economy. Boston is also known for a transportation profile that uniquely mixes public transit with traditional American car culture.

¿Cómo se realizó este estudio sobre coches autónomos?

The study model observed a .45-square-kilometer area near City Hall. They worked from a hypothesis that the majority of the autonomous cars would be zero-emission electric vehicles. They ended up discovering that if there was a widespread deployment of a variety of self-driving vehicles, it could potentially lead to major drops in tailpipe emissions of between 42 and 66 percent. As a byproduct, they found there would be much more free space in the city due to a decreased demand for parking.

¿Cuáles son los principales problemas de los coches autónomos?

As positive as the study was, the researchers still found a couple of major hurdles. One odd point from the study was that AVs, short for autonomous vehicles, “run the risk of becoming victims of their own success.” (Haciendo realidad los vehículos autónomos) Lo que ocurriría es que la demanda de transporte aumentaría debido a los bajos costos y la conveniencia. Eso significa más congestión vehicular. Eso podría conducir a lo que se conoce como "expansión urbana".

Another issue is that autonomous vehicles do not spell good things for the current transportation labor market. This has been a significant concern since the technology started making major headlines. The jobs of taxi drivers, bus operators, and others (like snowplow drivers) are at risk. That means there is greater pressure on city planners and contractors. Officials at the county and state levels need to help create proper transportation strategies. These strategies must include special considerations for autonomous transportation modes that benefit the public and minimize undesirable outcomes.

Today, we see the federal government beginning to work on self-driving regulation. We are hoping that they use the model for this study.