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Uber was supposed to help traffic. It didn’t. Robotaxis will be even worse (www.sfchronicle.com)
submitted 1 year ago by FlyingSquid@lemmy.world to c/fuckcars@lemmy.world
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Our research was technically right, but we had not taken into account changes in human behavior. Cars are more convenient and comfortable than walking, buses and subways — and that is why they are so popular. Make them even cheaper through ride-sharing and people are coaxed away from those other forms of transit.

This dynamic became clear in the data a few years later: On average, ride-hailing trips generated far more traffic and 69% more carbon dioxide than the trips they displaced.

We were proud of our contribution to ride-sharing but dismayed to see the results of a 2018 study that found that Uber Pool was so cheap it increased overall city travel: For every mile of personal driving it removed, it added 2.6 miles of people who otherwise would have taken another mode of transportation.

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[-] loke@fedia.io 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Regardless of anything else, there are no circumstances under which companies like Uber would decrease traffic. This is because of two effects: Firstly, any regular car ride replaced with an Uber ride will result in more road-hours, since there is now a car travelling to your pickup point as well travelling on the road after dropping you off.

Secondly, the convenience of Uber can cause more travellers taking a car instead of public transport, again increasing the total number of road-hours.

Is there even a hypothetical scenario under which any of these private hire companies would reduce traffic? The only theoretical benefit is that less parking spaces are needed.

[-] Psaldorn@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

It was originally a ride share, so you'd get to work by ubering with someone driving that way, one less car, a slightly increased journey.

But it's just a taxi now.

this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2023
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