Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? Act TravelWise Conference, Birmingham James Long 17th January 2017
Connected and Autonomous vehicles - a couple of definitions Connected vehicles: vehicles that communicate with other vehicles, devices or surrounding infrastructure to collect information and provide input to driving tasks Autonomous vehicles: vehicles relying on on-board equipment to collect information, take decisions and inform tasks Connected vehicles source: http://www.tampa-xway.com/ Autonomous vehicles source: Transport Systems Catapult Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 2
Today and the emerging future Strong mix of modes Enhanced recognition of streets as placemaking opportunities & places for communities Importance of urban realm and making cities places to live Increasing urbanism and intensification of cities Backdrop of a rise of disruptive trends and new methods of planning and delivering our transport network, with new players entering the market Rise of the sharing economy and entry of new modes Changing vehicle ownership models Disruptive trends - Uber. Source: Uber Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 3
AVs - What is being done today? A lot of the headlines are being grabbed by the private sector A number of public authorities, both in the UK and overseas, are taking active roles in R&D projects to understand autonomous vehicles and intelligent mobility, and the impact on their mobility options At a national government level there is a significant amount of work happening to clarify the regulatory position Source: Transport Systems Catapult Source: www.designcurial.com Source: Google Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 4
AVs developments in the UK Modern Transport Bill covering driverless car regulations, including a focus on the impact on insurance, testing and operational requirements Light-touch regulation Creation of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Trials, R&D activities and driverless cities (Milton Keynes/Coventry, Bristol, Greenwich) Platooning trials and private car trials on the strategic roads network from 2017 Attracting interest from the manufacturers and tech giants (Volvo DriveMe, Google s interest in testing in the UK) Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 5
Potential impacts: Networks Utopia? Vs Dystopia? Connected environment Optimised traffic flows Improved capacity Uncoordinated networks Higher levels of congestion Increased VMT Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 6
Potential impacts: Mobility options Utopia? Greater set of options and user choice 24/7 services Infill services Vs Dystopia? Conflict between modes Impact on active modes Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 7
Potential impacts: Public realm Utopia? Vs Dystopia? Freed up network space Reduction in roadside parking Reduced street clutter Interaction between modes segregated infrastructure? Nose to tail vehicles Permeability of cities Place de la Republique, Paris example of recent introduction of shared space. Source: http://www.fastcoexist.com/ Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 8
Potential impacts: Societal Utopia? Accessibility Social inclusion Reduced barrier to entry Productivity Vs Dystopia? Impact on job sector, e.g. professional driving User acceptance Availability of services in all areas Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 9
What next? Increase understanding by engaging in trials/demonstrations Develop strategies and frameworks at both national and local levels Bolster interoperability and consistency of services Build broader urban mobility strategies to understand how to integrate new services Take advantage of new data driven services Better understand the cities work and people/good movements Consider the infrastructure (physical and digital) requirements Understand Do Plan Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 10
Conclusions The transport sector is moving quickly Disruption is the new-norm? Commercial opportunities differ from social challenges New technologies present huge opportunities and challenges Public authorities have a choice: Think ahead, engage and help shape the future Don t engage and deal with the problems in the years to come Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 11
Thanks for listening! James.long@sdgworld.net DISCLAIMER: This work may only be used within the context and scope of work for which Steer Davies Gleave was commissioned and may not be relied upon in part or whole by any third party or be used for any other purpose. Any person choosing to use any part of this work without the express and written permission of Steer Davies Gleave shall be deemed to confirm their agreement to Automated indemnify Vehicles: Steer Davies Utopia Gleave or Dystopia? for all loss or damage resulting therefrom. 17th January 2017
Potential impacts: Safety & Security Utopia? Reduction in accidents due to human failings (human error is a factor in approximately 96% of accidents) Vs Dystopia? Increased pressure on technology and development process Cyber security Data safety Automated Vehicles: Utopia or Dystopia? 17th January 2017 13