But I think it'll have an even larger effect on suburban areas. Shopping centers, strip malls, and similar will no longer need to have massive flat single-story parking lots, freeing up a huge amount of space. Likewise for major employers, and commuter parking lots for mass transit.
Instead of 100 people owning 100 cars they drive 5% of the time, they could own 10 summonable cars that drive them around 50% of the time.
The first scenario requires 95 parking spots. The second only 5. There is still as much traffic on the roads, and as much transport work being done, but most of the space now needed for parking can be put to other use.
Source: Personal conversation with ZipCar analyst.
One could do this already by just taking taxis everywhere.
This obviously doesn't happen that much.
What is autonomous car technology going to change that will make this concept a reality?
