It's rare i tell anybody about it and they can even wrap their heads around it, they just come up with silly answers like "But I enjoy driving". In any case it will expand quickly after it's implemented properly in one test area and its awesomeness becomes undeniable. Google has already been driving a car on public roads by itself (though a driver attentively paying attention). This could begin with upgrades to cars and only works in the carpool lane for example, then people will get on board when they are exposed to it.See, like I said.
It will begin on highways, which would benefit most from it and also be easiest to automate (no traffic lights or pedestrians).
I completely agree, and I've been saying that this is how it has to start as well. One lane. Then as that gets full, two lanes. In a number of years there will only be one lane that non-automated cars can drive on.
The problem Ive been thinking about is not the issue of technology, it is the political and psychological issues.
Politically it is going to be difficult because it will cause very large and powerful companies to lose some of their wealth and power, and they are going to respond with an all out attack on our psych. Every time there is any minor accident they are going to have it all over the news telling us about how unsafe these cars are (and they will buy the news stations if needed to do it.) We are already at a point where facts dont matter when it comes to news, you can say anything as long as you claim that you are entertainment.
People naturally fear not having control, and that is going to play heavily in the fight to get automated cars on the roads.