Originally Posted by
CliffordK
Most new cars have child locks. One could enable the child lock on the driver side, and force all passengers to get out on the passenger side. I'm sure that would be popular when the cab picks up several passengers.
With electronic locks, it wouldn't take much to install a device that allows the driver to remotely lock and unlock passenger doors when the coast is clear. In theory, an AI could be programmed to do that automatically. It would be a pretty simple computer system.
So far I haven't plowed into any doors, but don't get in door zones a lot. What is the average time between a car parking and a door popping open? It would seem like one would give extra clearance to cabs and delivery vehicles, and any vehicle one sees pull into a parking lot.
A few points. New cars do have driver controlled door locks (child locks), but to my knowledge, they all operate together. I would guess that all the doors are on a common harness controlled by a single relay. So, controlling doors independently left and right may not be simple. Also, keep in mind that NYC has plenty of one way avenues, so, it's not just about permanently locking one side or the other.
Add to that the tendency of passengers in NYC to call it quits in tough backups and jump out and hoof it.
So, there may be technical issues, solvable or course, but I don't know what it might cost.
OTOH - the whole issue may become moot in the near future. All the major car companies are developing "door monitor" systems to prevent opening doors into approaching traffic. These systems are pretty far along, and most tuned to detect bicycles in the door zone. So, soon new cars will have door monitors, and we can expect integration into the taxi fleet faster than personal autos, because the fleet turnover rate is pretty fast.