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Re:Volkswagen exec admits full self-driving cars 'may never ... by dpflan on Saturday January 18, 2020 @03:12PM (#22086814)
Yes, the tremendous capital influx into AV could probably support advances in trains and rail infrastructure. Yet, we will chase after this idea — it receives copious media attention because it is technically challenging and is “sci-fi” idealism that is hard to mitigate and feels like a good idea for society. Also, the investments seem like chasing after what everyone else is chasing after (FOMO); an automaker would find it difficult to “pivot” from vehicle production to advancing rail (competition) so capital will be stuck in that industry.
Re:Volkswagen exec admits full self-driving cars 'may never ... by DasIch on Saturday January 18, 2020 @03:36PM (#22086987)
It seems to me that the problems that trains and rail infrastructure is facing are: bureaucracy, politics and an increasing inability to execute on infrastructure projects on time/budget by governments.

To the extent cost is a a factor, it's unnecessarily high due to these aforementioned issues[1]. So I don't think money invested into self-driving cars hurts trains and rail infrastructure.

[1]: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/1/14112776/ne...

Re:Volkswagen exec admits full self-driving cars 'may never ... by dpflan on Saturday January 18, 2020 @03:40PM (#22087012)
Yes, the policy issues are real and sticky and act to thwart advance.