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Experts propose that I-5 from Seattle to Canada be only for self-driving cars

Local high-tech experts are proposing a plan to one day make the stretch of Interstate 5 between Seattle and Canada be strictly reserved for self-driving vehicles.

The plan is expected to be controversial, but some experts say driverless cars are the wave of the future, and that future should begin in Washington State.

The idea was proposed at a Microsoft-sponsored conference in Vancouver Monday.

Executives who worked at companies like Amazon and Microsoft say they know not everyone will think the plan is a good idea, but they say that overall, self-driving vehicles are safer, will ease congestion, and are less expensive than a high-speed railway system.

The plan would start with reserving at least the carpool lanes on I-5 just for self-driving cars, trucks and buses, and then eventually expand to full the full freeway.

The proposal comes as federal transportation officials are set to release new guidelines Tuesday morning involving autonomous cars.