"You can use this argument for trains of pods on motorways, but that mode of operation probably won't be useful in urban commuter environments where a lot of the congestion is."
I don't see why not. The linkage between vehicle is virtual. There's no reason a line of cars/pods can't be driving along with inches between them at slow city speeds in a snake-like formation getting most of it's advance data from the front vehicle. Most are going more or less the same way and when a car/pod needs to turn off, it and the ones behind only need to slow a little to give it room to manoeuvre. Even if we still use existing traffic light systems, a platooned line of cars can all start moving at the same time so more will get through the junction before the lights change back. With manual cars, you are relying on people paying attention and all pulling off one at a time, after the one in front has started.
Most of the improvements will only happen when there's a critical mass of self-driving vehicles and manuals are banned from city centres and/or other zoned areas.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
