»In which we zero-nize

The Times describes a personalised public-transit system, operating (with much hand-waving) autonomously-guided buses via magnetic indicators in the roadway. The buses, summoned by mobile telephone, sound much like a jitney service dressed up like a taxicab, but the just-in-time aspect of providing transit to people when they need it is very appealing.

Toyota have some similar research on the low overhead of autonomous buses, but stopped short of the personalised aspect. They have some splendid buzzwords:

Toyota is striving to achieve this objective by addressing the two challenges of "Zero-nize" and "Maxi-mize" simultaneously.

"Zero-nize" refers to the eradication of the negative effects of "traffic accidents", "traffic congestion", and "environmental impact", while "Maxi-mize" refers to the "enrichment of the heart" to the fullest extent through the fun, excitement and comfort that people seek in automobiles.

MUNI is pretty close to this goal already, as long as you are travelling at 7.45 between 3rd and Geary and downtown. They pretty much have that route nailed.

[ via wmmna ]