Tech

Autonomous car sharing can make cities more livable, fairer


self-driving car

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Fully autonomous vehicles (AVs), or driverless cars, will be commonplace sooner than we think. Right now, automakers and transportation network companies—also known as rideshare companies—are directing AV development. Without public input, this market-driven approach could exacerbate traffic congestion, eliminate public transit, and increase social inequality. It can also weigh heavily on state and local budgets, as revenue from taxes, parking and related activities dries up.

But new research from the University of Minnesota published in the journal Transportation Research Profile shows how, by careful planning for AV, we can make the most of this technological revolution to improve transportation and make it fairer for all. People.

A large interdisciplinary team, led by professor Zhi-Li Zhang of the University of Science and Engineering, looked at a potential solution: shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs). The team looked at not only how SAV networks work, but also their possible impacts on society.

The researchers used a hypothetical SAV system based on Minneapolis–St. Paul to explore several SAV adoption scenarios in a medium-sized metropolitan area known for diverse weather and urban planning. They identified issues that policymakers, planners, and on-demand mobility companies must address to create an integrated SAV—and ultimately a healthy future. , just, livable and prosperous.

From research:

  • SAV systems are possible—and can be very beneficial—in communities like Twin Cities.
  • SAV systems can strengthen—not weaken—existing transportation system by providing cost-effective service on low-passenger routes.
  • State audit systems have the opportunity to address serious issues of fairness in transportation.

Research shows that SAV in particular can have a big impact on the public transport industry. By combining SAV with existing fleets, research shows that agencies can size transit routes to accommodate passenger numbers. Core transit systems will remain in place, and trains and buses will continue to serve densely populated areas.

SAV can be deployed on low-passenger suburban routes. The Cost savings from the elimination of large buses with low passenger volume can be invested in high-passenger routes, attracting more demand and improving service quality.

The study also found that autonomous vehicles have the potential to transform transportation services and improve mobility for many—or they could exacerbate equity problems in existing system.

“Well-designed communities, using SAV pools of varying sizes with high-quality, efficient connections public transport can bring about far-reaching social change—providing affordable transportation for all, building stronger family and community ties, and promoting productivity and equity economics by removing mobility as a constraint,” said co-principal investigator Yingling Fan, a professor at Yingling University, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

However, the researchers emphasize that “maybe” is the word that works with their study’s results. Making it happen fairly depends on many Important decision, which includes the work of policymakers, planners, and other officials to prepare for the next technological revolution. For example, cities should start planning how street parking and garages can be repurposed for green space and affordable housing. And because automation will disrupt the jobs of many motorists for a living, policymakers should prepare to lessen the impact.

“How could it be local community take advantage of emerging technology? Rideshare companies now have data to see how people move around. TNCs in use public roadPrincipal investigator Zhi-Li Zhang said: “Let’s return this money to the community.”

More information:
Noah Wexler et al, Assessing public attitudes and preferences towards a hypothetical future public shared automated vehicle system: Considering the roles of gender, race, income and health , Transportation Research Profile: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (2022). DOI: 10.1177/03611981221090512

quote: Shared autonomous vehicles can make cities more livable, fairer (2022, 12 December) accessed 12 December 2022 from https://techxplore.com/ news/2022-12-automated-vehicles-cities-livable-equitable.html

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