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.

  • BarqsHasBite@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    16
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    10 months ago

    Of course Uber wouldn’t help traffic.

    Robotaxis? Probably not. But autonomous vehicles that can communicate and drive as a group? Yes that will help. Then induced demand and all that, but it will increase capacity.

    • Aidinthel@reddthat.com
      cake
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      22
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      edit-2
      10 months ago

      autonomous vehicles that can communicate and drive as a group

      Is it time to reinvent the train again already?

    • Tvkan@feddit.de
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      10 months ago

      We’ve seen time and time again that increased capacity doesn’t actually help traffic.

      Capacity just isn’t the issue.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      arrow-down
      9
      ·
      10 months ago

      Robust public transportation will help a lot more. But go ahead and argue with the MIT scientists who wrote this article if you like. Their research seems to show you’re wrong.