A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that competition in the urban ride market can grow significantly before gridlock sets in. The study, which was published in the journal Transportation Research Part B: Methodological, found that even with a large increase in the number of ride-hailing vehicles on the road, traffic congestion would only increase by a small amount.

The study's authors used a computer simulation to model the effects of ride-hailing on traffic congestion in San Francisco. They found that even when the number of ride-hailing vehicles increased by 50%, traffic congestion only increased by 2%. This is because ride-hailing vehicles are typically used for short trips, and they often replace more polluting and inefficient forms of transportation, such as personal vehicles.

The study's findings suggest that cities can accommodate a significant amount of ride-hailing without experiencing gridlock. This is good news for both consumers and businesses, as ride-hailing can provide a convenient and affordable transportation option.

However, the study's authors also caution that cities need to carefully manage the growth of ride-hailing in order to avoid other negative consequences, such as increased air pollution and gentrification.

Here are some of the key findings of the study:

* Even with a large increase in the number of ride-hailing vehicles on the road, traffic congestion would only increase by a small amount.

* Ride-hailing vehicles are typically used for short trips, and they often replace more polluting and inefficient forms of transportation, such as personal vehicles.

* Cities can accommodate a significant amount of ride-hailing without experiencing gridlock.

* Cities need to carefully manage the growth of ride-hailing in order to avoid other negative consequences, such as increased air pollution and gentrification.