That is a flaw I noticed with four-way stops when I drove in the US. The only way to break a stand-off once the first arrivals had moved through (and no one could remember the order of arrival) was to be the aggressive one that just went.
I'm from Australia and roundabouts solve this problem very easily. Even during reasonable traffic, I barely need to slow down at the roundabouts near my house as they're so effective. And this is at intersections about the same size as those with the four-way stops I encountered in LA.
Robotic cars can probably pass through gaps like lines of ants crossing each other if roundabouts are too difficult to introduce.
I'm from Australia and roundabouts solve this problem very easily. Even during reasonable traffic, I barely need to slow down at the roundabouts near my house as they're so effective. And this is at intersections about the same size as those with the four-way stops I encountered in LA.
Robotic cars can probably pass through gaps like lines of ants crossing each other if roundabouts are too difficult to introduce.