&gt; Self-driving cars in a line could detect and link up with each other, sharing sensor data on obstacles up ahead. In the end, this has the potential to safely reduce the gaps between cars at higher speeds and thus actually increase throughput, since the congestion issues with human drivers reacting separately would not apply.<p>Isn&#x27;t this already true to a certain extent with map software? It automatically directs you to the fastest route—congestion relief is, in a way, built-in to open infrastructure.<p>It seems to be the topology of the highway system would have a much larger impact on congestion than the drivers themselves. Among other things, it&#x27;s going to be a long time (hopefully never. IMHO) before human drivers are off the road.