Traffic Fantasy: Michigan Pitches Dumb Idea

As if we needed more evidence that the people running things may actually be even dumber than we are, Michigan leadership has proposed building a separate lane for autonomous cars to run between Ann Arbor and Detroit. The special road would implement a vehicle-to-infrastructure communications network and is planned to be built alongside Michigan Avenue and I-94 as its own separate lane. Kind of like a bus line or railroad.

Reminiscent of the “ Highway of Tomorrow” that premiered in General Motors’ 1956 Motorama short Design for Dreaming, where a woman dances around the latest automotive products before the whole thing descends into futurist madness, Michigan’s more-modern concept is only slightly less ridiculous. State governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the project on Thursday, noting that it already had support from both the public and private sectors.

That doesn’t mean it will leave the realm of fantasy, however.

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  • Ajla If I were allowed to rule with an iron fist and had the capital to build at least 50k units I'd take the car company.
  • Eric I would take the house, sell it at a profit to some poor schmuck and invest the profit in something other than "green technology".
  • Urlik Of course the IIHS moves the goal posts. It’s all about staying relevant.
  • The Oracle Good riddance.
  • Lou_BC Makes sense. I've seen a few dealer inventories listing 2022 "heritage " Trucks .