I'm not sure conflict of interest is the right term. I think many in office are afraid of breaking the status quo and take a genuine risk. This risk could revolutionize transportation, yet we would still have cars,trucks and busses. They would still burn stinky dead animals so those industries would remain in place. Public transportation would still require a person at the controls to guide the vehicle in case of a system failure all as we have today. So no I dont think its conflict of interest I think its short sightedness, a deep love of the status quo and fear of being the person to put their name on the bill. Hopefully someone in power will see te potential and do the smart thing.