Essay

The reality and implications of autonomous vehicles may still be far distant, but they seem to be an unavoidable factor in the future transport systems. The full impact of autonomous vehicles will only be realized when they are in full operation on our rails and roads. The only thing that seems inevitable is that they will have far-reaching implications in almost all aspects of our lives. The article When Cars Fly by Ian Bogost explores some of the steps achieved towards developing self-driving cars, and tries to paint a glimpse of how the automotive future appears. Technological advancements in vehicle manufacturing will bring a positive impact on vehicle travel, and we should all embrace the futuristic car as it will impact our different ways of operations. Comment by Ciara Peebles: These two words mean the same thing: you do not really need both of them here, just one. Comment by Ciara Peebles: Remove unneeded comma.

Day by day, the interest surrounding self-driving car technologies is growing. The topic was in the recent past reserved for automotive conferences and related publications. Today, the interest to design fully or partially automated vehicles has taken a different direction and has captured the attention of high-profile trade shows such as CES, and has become a major headline on mainstream media. The federal and state governments are also developing policies to regulate the fast advancing vehicle industry, just like Bogost acknowledges, “…things are looking up for American carmakers, in ways that would have been hard to imagine just ten years ago.” Comment by Ciara Peebles: This can probably be made singular: “technology”. Comment by Ciara Peebles: This should be moved to the beginning of the sentence so the sentence flows properly: “In the recent past, the topic was reserved….” Comment by Ciara Peebles: Try to avoid having more than one “and” in a sentence; this can be eliminated by a comma. Comment by Ciara Peebles: There should be an MLA citation at the end of this.

The timeframe for the adoption of autonomous car technologies has reduced significantly in the past few years as technology is getting better at a fast rate. Since the 1990s, companies have been incorporating semiautonomous features into vehicles. Such semiautonomous features include adaptive cruise control that makes use of sensors to alter the vehicle’s speed based on the traffic ahead and automated parallel parking. Some features give warnings that can prepare drivers to avoid collisions. Future car models might be able to take over control from the driver if they detect driving issues from the driver. As evident from the article, “if a car has sensors that can measure a driver’s respiration and heart rate, it could shift into self-driving mode when a driver has a heart attack or passes out.” Comment by Ciara Peebles: This needs to be an MLA in-page citation here.

The transportation infrastructure within which the modern world operates is on the path of a significant transformation as intelligent transportation systems continue making traffic management and driving safer and better for everyone. Legislations, concepts, and policies are fast evolving to cater to the increasing demand for investment in hard transportation systems. Technology is bridging the gap between concepts and investments as cars and the infrastructure within which they operate become more connected. The rising population growth is creating a demand for expanded transportation infrastructure, but many states do not have the resources required to build more rails and roads. The population will, however, continue growing despite the lack of adequate resources to expand infrastructure, and therefore, cities must rethink the adoptive nature of existing transportation systems. Comment by Ciara Peebles: The beginning of the sentence is worded a little awkwardly and is very wordy in general: consider rewording a bit so that its more concise. Comment by Ciara Peebles: Make this an adverb fastly or quickly evolving. Comment by Ciara Peebles: To improve sentence structure/flow, move “however” to the beginning of the sentence. Comment by Ciara Peebles: Remove unneeded comma.

Technological changes have redefined the way vehicles consume fuel, with solar-powered systems, hybrid, and electric cars beginning to replace fuel-powered engines. The concept of eco-driving is considerably driving down the level of fuel consumption in vehicles. The tendency of drivers to speed or decelerate aggressively results in significant fuel wastages. Leaving the car running during traffic lock downs, among other instances, is an example of energy wastage situations occasioned by the human driver. Studies have shown that eco-driving practices like telematics and real-time traffic sensing contribute to fuel saving to the range of ten to twelve percent. Comment by Ciara Peebles: Something like this needs a citation at the end to back up the evidence.

Autonomous cars that can communicate within each other and the operating infrastructure are in the best interest of transport safety. Vehicle to vehicle communication is known to be conscious of other road users. The underlying environmental benefits, safety, and sustainability options are making autonomous vehicles attractive to city planners. The emerging technologies on connected cars, automatic driving highways, adaptive cruise control, traffic light synchronization, wireless communication and many more are promising lifesavers in the future transport systems. Soon, your car will have the capacity to interact with other cars on the road, beat traffic, find the best route and prepare your garage for your arrival. Bogost tells us the fantastic feature of Tesla car, “the car can turn itself on, open the garage door, and meet you in the driveway like an automotive butler.” Comment by Ciara Peebles: Change this to “with” Comment by Ciara Peebles: This needs an in-page citation at the end.

As computers become a central component in the mass production of vehicles, the capacity for consumer interactivity has improved significantly. In the modern automobile industry, every car manufactured has some kind of inbuilt computer that controls certain functions. Vehicle onboard computers enable users to manage cruise control, control GPS and even control exhaust emissions. Today, car users can run onboard diagnostics to point out defaults with the car subsystems. The smartphone revolution led to the introduction of smart dashboards with vehicles utilizing onboard tablets that assist users to interact with their phones and play music within one interface. Concepts like Apple CarPlay mean that people have a reduced amount of time spent looking at their phones as they can interact with a more extensive interface.

There is a direct correlation between the quantity and quality of transport systems and the level of a country’s economic development. The availability of better-connected transport networks and improved infrastructure can be linked to a high level of economic activities. When transport systems are practical and efficient, they provide enhanced economic and social opportunities, such as increased access to commodity markets, investments, and employment opportunities. Efficiency in the time necessary for transportation and reduction in the likelihood of losses or damages have a direct impact on the economic progress of a nation. The likelihood of efficient use of existing transportation infrastructure and smooth movement of freight and people eliminates economic friction and promotes faster development. Comment by Ciara Peebles: This is a little awkward/confusing in terms of wording: what about just replacing with “Time efficiency” ? Comment by Ciara Peebles: Twice to avoid using “and” in a sentence more than once: simply replacing with a comma is more adequate.

Although transport systems are designed to promote the prosperity of human activities, it inevitably is followed by adverse externalities such as accidents, pollution, and human casualties. Various studies are estimating the cost of these externalities caused by human-driven vehicles, and the costs are both direct and indirect costs. Externality costs are hidden costs imposed on the public and include costs such as environmental degradation, accidents, security breaches, and much more. Autonomous vehicle technology is believed to hold the potential to eliminate many of the existing externalities. The future car is imagined to increase mobility and accessibility and even further improve land use. Although just like any other technology, there are disadvantages associated with autonomous vehicle technologies, it is believed that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Comment by Ciara Peebles: To help with sentence flow, rephrase as “involve both” Comment by Ciara Peebles: I don’t know if “imagined” is the best word choice: what about “predicted” or “meant to”? Comment by Ciara Peebles: Reword to mobility, accessibility, and improve land use.

The future will change the traditional use of cars from a mere transportation object to a social and business promotion unit. The Mercedes-Benz F 015 is one example of a revolutionary car. The car has the capability of transforming into “digital living space” where “seats swivel to face one another, and a series of displays permit passengers to entertain themselves or work.” Studies have shown that on average, Americans spend almost one hour every day commuting to work. The amount of human productivity lost on the roads is significant, and any technology that will mitigate such losses will be a game-changer cutting across the economy. With the development of cars such as Mercedes-Benz F 015, employers will begin to demand that their employees use their commuting time productively. The collective gains will lead to accelerated economic development. Comment by Ciara Peebles: Both of these sentences need citations.

Autonomous vehicle technologies have been an active field of research for some decades but particularly in the current decade. The ongoing joint efforts between manufacturers and universities have brought the autonomous vehicle near readiness. It is believed the future car will reduce transportation costs considerably. In the near future, autonomous vehicles will form an indispensable part of the modern transport system. In light of such rapid advancements, the education system should align itself with these emerging technologies. Changing the nature of transportation in a manner that is envisioned will alter the entire nature of society. Whether the society is prepared for such revolutionary change remains an issue for debate. In conclusion, it will not be fair to predict the convenience and safety benefits of autonomous vehicles without noting there is still an enormous amount of research and development to be accomplished before these benefits can be achieved.