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Smart Transport for Cities and Nations: The Rise of Self-Driving and Connected Vehicles
The world is changing, connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technology promises dramatic disruptions to transportation. Mobility for the elderly and the young may increase. A significant fraction of the 30,000 annual road deaths in the United States may vanish. By driving more efficiently, automated vehicles may reduce congestion, emissions, and fuel consumption. Land use and travel behavior patterns will shift as people can use driving time for other productive ends. By entering supply chains and logistics services, CAVs promise major impacts on the economics of freight, and employment in this sector.
As transportation professionals struggle to predict the impacts of this disruptive technology — both positive and negative — it is refreshing to see great interest in proactively planning for these technologies before they
become mainstream. The authors of this book have spoken with many representatives from public agencies, engineering firms, and academia, and there is a common interest in trying to understand what impacts CAVs
will likely have, how to maximize the potential benefits, and how to minimize unintended consequences. Even if there is still uncertainty in exactly what CAVs can do technologically, legally, or socially, planning in advance is much easier and more cost-effective than trying to resolve issues that arise after CAVs are widespread.
This book is the result of several research projects sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) which began in 2015. It covers a wide range of issues which are relevant to transportation professionals wanting to know what CAVs mean for them. Its chapters include discussion of legal and policy issues, current public opinions and forecasts of CAV willingness-to-pay and market share, models for estimating safety and traffic operations benefits, discussions of current technology options, and case studies evaluating ridesharing and other technology/policy scenarios.