Automated public transport, driver-less cars, trains and buses, have been around as ideas since the 1950s. But now with climate change, the idea seems to be getting more traction.

In Britain, plans are already under way to introduce driver-less cars, designed by Martin Lowson who worked on Saturn V Rocket, which launched the Apollo missions and who later designed the rotor blades for the world's fastest helicopter. He says it will have the same impact on transport this century as George Stephenson's Rocket did in the 19th century, and the Model T Ford in 20th century.

Harvard Business School professor Benjamin Edelman says it could be a matter of time because the infrastructure is less costly - smaller stations and no need to build an expensive track that lies vacant most of the time - and growing interest in clean technology.

Still, as he says, the big problem would be getting people to trust the new system. The other issue, one would think, would be the love affair that Americans have with their cars. The big challenge for entrepreneurs offering driver-less cars would be creating something that's better than the conventional automobile in terms of speed, price and convenience.

Until that's done, it will remain the stuff of science fiction.