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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.

  • BarqsHasBiteEnglish
    12•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.

    • @[email protected]English
      20•10 months ago

      autonomous vehicles that can communicate and drive as a group

      Is it time to reinvent the train again already?

    • @[email protected]English
      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 SquidOPEnglish
      5•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.

      • @[email protected]English
        10•10 months ago

        He literally agrees that they won’t magically help with traffic, what’re you talking about?