A recent study from Southern Methodist University indicates that fully autonomous vehicles could decrease traffic delays in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by as much as 33 percent, without the need for new highway construction. This finding is particularly relevant for Frisco, located approximately 30 miles northeast of Dallas, as it highlights potential benefits for local commuters.
The research, led by Khaled Abdelghany of SMU's Stephanie and Hunter Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, utilized traffic modeling funded in part by the region's council of governments. The study involved 25 experiments simulating traffic conditions in 2045, assessing scenarios with 100 percent, 50 percent, and 25 percent adoption of autonomous vehicles.
Results showed that in a fully automated scenario, traffic delays could be reduced by up to 33 percent, while time spent in congested conditions could drop by at least 19 percent.
The mechanism behind this improvement is attributed to the way human drivers contribute to traffic jams through erratic braking and inconsistent spacing. According to Abdelghany, “Autonomous vehicles may help mitigate these effects through smoother and more coordinated driving.” In a 2024 ranking, Dallas was identified as the 17th most congested city in the U.S., with drivers losing approximately 36 hours annually to traffic.
Texas is already at the forefront of the driverless vehicle industry, particularly in freight transport. Aurora Innovation initiated commercial driverless deliveries between Dallas and Houston in late April 2025, marking the first such service in the nation. The trucks operate along the I-45 corridor, which is a major route for truck freight in Texas, transporting various goods without human operators.
Other companies, including Kodiak Robotics, Waymo Via, and Gatik, are also actively developing autonomous trucking services in Texas, establishing the state as a central hub for this technology. On the passenger side, Waymo has expanded its robotaxi service in Austin and began offering rides in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio in February 2026, with plans for broader availability by the end of the year.
Despite the optimistic projections for the autonomous vehicle sector, the transition may not lead to job losses but rather a shift in job types. Positions will still be necessary for vehicle maintenance, remote monitoring, and logistics. Estimates suggest that the autonomous vehicle market could contribute around $70 billion to the U.S. GDP and create approximately 9 million jobs globally by 2030, according to industry analysts.
It is important to note that the 33 percent reduction in traffic delays applies to a scenario where all vehicles are autonomous. The study’s projections for 2045 raise questions about the realistic pace of adoption. Competing research indicates that nearly half of autonomous vehicle operating hours may involve no passengers, as vehicles reposition between fares, which could counteract some congestion benefits.
