Posted on 12/05/2025 6:55:04 PM PST by TexasKamaAina
The future is now along a stretch of Texas highway as driverless semi-trucks begin their commutes within an Austin-area corridor. The "Smart Freight Corridor" is a 21-mile stretch of State Highway 130 in the Austin area - the fastest highway in Texas - covering the highway region from Georgetown to Mustang Ridge.
(Excerpt) Read more at mysanantonio.com ...
Short line haul runs are where driverless semi-trucks make sense.
Local? Fuggetaboutit.
The stretch of I-10 between Kerrville TX and El Paso is the king of fast roads in the state. There’s practically nothing to impede you and drivers routinely exceed 85 mph. Just pay attention to those “next gas” signs.
that is disturbing.
I trust trucks with no drivers more than trucks being driven by illegals who can’t read or speak English.
Agreed, perhaps we can restate thus...." I trust trucks with no drivers no more than those being driven by illegal aliens who neither speak nor read English, and who have contempt for our ways and laws".
I would say that is, for the most part, accurate. The stretch between Ozona and Fort Stockton is even more like what you describe. Sure, there’s gas stations about, but beware their closing time. Might get you stuck in a spot you’d rather not be.
I feel much more confident in the ability of a computer to manage travel on a limited access highway than in an urban environment with cars, bikes, pedestrians, kids, and dogs.
Remember Elaine Herzberg.
Better or worse than an illegal with a California-issued CDL?
I've taken Waymos approximately a dozen times. At first, I white knuckled the ride. It had nothing to do with the way the Waymo drove, rather it was the idea of being driverless that gave me angst. Now, I see Waymo as a somewhat safer alternative than the typical Uber driver.
Waymos are statistically significantly safer than vehicles driven by humans.
Agree!
I am just the opposite, because I know the average American can barely drive a shopping cart, much less a car at highway speeds.
Illegals hit hardest.
Having been on 130 several times I can tell you there are already driverless cars even when someone is in the driver’s seat.
I ran some errands this morning.
There must have been some big marijuana parties in that area last night because it seemed like every other younger person (teens, twenties) had the marijuana “red eyes” I remember from my college days.
These folks were out there driving.
Driverless cars have got to be better than that.
Better driverless than illegal who an’t speak or read English
I will take a Waymo or Tesla / Uber Robotaxi in Austin every time over a regular Uber or Lyft or cabbie that’s Pakistani, Afghan , Indian or some other Arab. Every single time.
Every been in a cab in NYC? Or D.C. Or New Orleans yeah all Arabs or Pakis or some form of African. It’s a total crapshoot and you literally are taking your own life in their hands. I will take AI over any one of those groups everyday and twice on Sunday.
Austin has Waymo and Robotaxis both are now most of the central city and all of the entertainment districts plural. Me and the crew use them exclusively to party in Austun<< this is the proper local pronunciation of that city it’s bow locals know you are a local. I grew up in Pflugerville/ Elgin and have three degrees from UT as well that’s my home town. Only place I love nearly as much was spending some of my early and midteens in the Midlands UK and London.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.