This is definitely the way to go, but how do we deliver flexible public transport in in areas that find the sustaining of regular timetabled services difficult or unaffordable? My prediction is that we will see the development of co-operating swarms of smaller (6 or 8 seat) quasi-autonomous electric vehicles which will be scattered around an area in local charging hubs. I hereby christen these things QUAVERS (QUasi-Autonomous VEhicular Resources)
When you want to go somewhere, you will summon a vehicle and specify your destination and timeframe via an Uber-style app. Regular journeys can be diaried in in advance (I want to get from my house to my office by 09:00 on weekdays, for example).
The system will then either despatch a fresh Quaver from its charging point, or divert an existing one with time to spare in its schedule and room to carry you, to come and pick you up and take you to your destination
The clever thing is that the Quavers will all be communicating with each other and will assemble themselves into physically linked articulated road trains as they share routes. This will enable power sharing, much improved aerodynamics, and much greater traffic density. They will also be able to warn each other of congestion, black spots and so on to enable dynamic re-roting to keep traffic flowing.
You won't own a Quaver, you will pay a subscription to use the service and a per-mile charge based on energy usage, traffic congestion, and environmental impact. Using a Quaver for a 5-mile journey that could easily be completed by bicycle will cost proportionately much more than a longer rural journey.
I bet this idea has already been thought about and is being worked on by loads of keen young technology whizz-kids, but just it case it hasn't I hereby donate this concept free of charge to the world as my gift to humanity
