I've worked in the transportation industry for over 17 years. I know automation and self-driving cars will happen at some point (probably in the next 20-30 years), but the general public's understanding of self-driving and automation isn't what will actually happen. You'll likely see platooning) of commercial vehicles first. This will likely be the only type of self-driving vehicles you see on the road in large numbers.

What I think needs to happen is large-scale investment in light rail and public transit. That's the most realistic way to get us all out of our cars. No bullet train nonsense like my state has been attempting. Light rail systems within cities and larger metropolitan complexes and then bus systems to get riders from depots to their destination. As it stands right now, in most cities around me it takes anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour to go just a few miles via bus. That's unacceptable. The only reason people take the bus is because they have no other options. You need to provide people with viable alternatives and entire them to use them, lest you breed resentment.