One problem I have with every AV conversation is that people are trying to create a system that can drive in traffic, better than humans can. Practically speaking, I think AVs are far more likely to travel their own routes, rather than spend time sitting in traffic waiting for some granny trying to parallel park. Consider this: When traffic got bad in Seattle (late 70's? early 80's?), they decided we needed to reduce the number of vehicles on the road by incentivizing people to carpool. More people in each car would equal fewer cars, right? So they built the Express Lanes. (Now HOV lanes.) This was an extra lane added to the left side of every freeway that was specifically for carpoolers. Consider this: When bus traffic got bottled up in downtown Seattle, the city decided to try something different: During rush hour, 3rd Ave in Seattle is closed to all vehicles except buses. Now the buses can get through downtown much faster. Consider this: AVs could travel in much tighter packs, because they talk to each other. Also, when in communication with each other and running in a pack, they can run a consistent speed, which eliminates the need to go fast. Consider this crazy idea: What if we eliminated left turns? (In countries that drive on the right side of the road.) This is the most dangerous maneuver there is in traffic. It is also the primary reason traffic lights exist. And, if there are no left turns, then the left lane can effectively become the "AV Lane", like the HOV lanes of yesteryear. This would allow MUCH dumber AVs. Cities regularly build light rail, trams, electric (overhead wire) buses, etc. All of these need a dedicated, or semi-dedicated lane. Providing AVs with this kind of framework would greatly simplify many of the practical problems surrounding integrating AVs into normal traffic flows. A car that drives like a human? Not likely in my lifetime. A framework within which autonomous vehicles can operate in parallel with regular traffic? Shit, we could do that next year, if we really wanted to.