In response to the $50 Billion Sound Transit bill that passed in Seattle recently, which, in some cases, more than quadrupled peoples car tab price, I don't believe this is the best use of our tax dollars. I believe building an infrastructure that gets Seattle ready for the future in transportation is the best idea. Autonomous cars are already in production and being used on the roads today, so let’s get ready for more of them hitting the roads.
First by restriping the roads with reflective paint, and/or add markings, that are actually visible in the rain. This will not only help current drivers, as our roads are a huge safety concern because of the lack of road marking visibility, but it will also help with autonomous cars, as they use these markings to drive. In addition, I would also propose adding a lane for autonomous cars, much like the HOV lane, and work to expand those lanes as we move forward.
https://www.wired.com/2016/03/self-driving-cars-wont-work-change-roads-attitudes/
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-autonomous-infrastructure-insig-idUSKCN0WX131
In addition to autonomous cars, flying cars are already being tested for consumer use, and the FAA is already working on air roadway maps. I don’t propose using tax dollars on this yet, as there is still so much more to work out with the implementation of this, but it shows how far and how fast we are moving technologically.
Through our expanding tech industry here in Seattle, with the growth of Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Uber, Tesla, etc. I propose we work with these companies and others innovative ideas to make Seattle ready for the future in transportation. In bringing these larger corporations to the table, I would expect them to financially contribute to the efforts to bring/build a better transportation infrastructure of Seattle, thus reducing the overall cost burden of the tax payer, as they will have a vested interest in helping us succeed, as it will be their products that will be seen on the roads.
Bryce Richards for Seattle City Council District 1