1,720,983 research outputs found
Overall synthesis and conclusions
No full textThis chapter first systematically summarizes the most important findings and policy implications of each of the chapters included in this book volume. Next it synthesizes the overall findings and policy implications, and discusses future avenues for policy making and research. A first conclusion is that the chapters make clear that the ranges in policy relevant implications of AVs, within the scope of each chapter/topic, are still relatively broad. Secondly we conclude that research that is conceptually rich is more valuable for policy making. Thirdly we hypothesize that context matters for the uptake, impacts, and specific system design characteristics of real world AV implementation. Fourth we conclude that research on the global south has been limited so far. Fifth we argue that AVs, shared vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) might stimulate each other in a positive way, in all directions. Finally we conclude that AVs will have wider societal implications, such as in the area of land use, accessibility, social exclusion, governmental expenditures, the labor market, and the environment. The more indirect the effects of AVs are, the more difficult they are to understand. For policy making a first conclusion is that the issues of ethics, cyber security and data protection deserve way more attention than they currently get. We also conclude that future motorway network extensions might not be no-regret anymore, because of possible congestion reductions due to AVs, but also because of decreasing marginal values of time. Finally we argue that countries that introduce AVs later than other countries can learn a lot from the real world experiences elsewhere
Chapter Ten - Governance cultures and sociotechnical imaginaries of self-driving vehicle technology: Comparative analysis of Finland, UK and Germany
No full textAs an emerging technology, the potential deployment of self-driving vehicles (SDVs) in cities is attributed with significant uncertainties and anticipated consequences requiring responsible governance of innovation processes. Despite a growing number of studies on policies and governance arrangements for managing the introduction of SDVs, there is a gap in understanding about country-specific governance strategies and approaches. This chapter addresses this gap by presenting a comparative analysis of SDV-related policy documents in Finland, UK, and Germany, three countries which are actively seeking to promote the introduction of SDVs and which have distinct administrative traditions. Our analytical framework is based on the set of premises about technology as a complex sociotechnical phenomenon, operationalized using governance cultures and sociotechnical imaginaries concepts. Our comparative policy document analysis focuses on the assumed roles for SDV technology, the identified domains and mechanisms of governance, and the assumed actors responsible for steering the development process. The results highlight similarities in pro-automation values across three different countries, while also uncovering important differences outside the domain of traditional transport policy instruments. In addition, the results identify different types of potential technological determinism, which could restrict opportunities for responsiveness and divergent visions of mobility futures in Europe. Concluding with a warning against further depolitization of technological development and a dominant focus on economic growth, we identify several necessary directions for further developing governance and experimentation processes
Policy Implications of Autonomous Vehicles
No full textAutonomous vehicles (AVs) constitute a contemporary key area of research and development as reflected by the significant funds currently invested globally. According to the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) International taxonomy, in the highest levels of vehicle automation, an automated driving system is expected to perform all dynamic tasks of driving in certain (SAE level 4) or in all conditions (SAE level 5) (SAE International, 2018). In the lower levels of vehicle automation, a human should be available to take control of the vehicle (SAE level 3) or to monitor the driving environment while one is assisted to perform the lateral or/and longitudinal motion control of the vehicle (SAE levels 1 and 2). Yet, even these standards are being revised and updated to reflect the continuous need for shared learning and adaptation based on AV trials, such as SAE-J3018™ which was originally established in 2015 and updated in late 2019 (SAE International, 2019).
Large automotive companies have been envisaging vehicle automation technology for passenger transport to be available shortly after 2020, although they have indeed revised their early optimistic predictions about having fully automated vehicles on public roads by 2020 (Walker, 2020) and are currently exploring viable business models. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic seem to have accelerated development and use of certain forms of vehicle automation for supporting front-line health care (e.g., by delivering medical supplies to hospitals or elderly groups) and controlling the spread of the corona virus (e.g., by disinfecting public spaces), while the discussion about a significant modal shift from airplanes (i.e., short to mid-range trips) to automated vehicles has recently intensified (Rice, 2020).
In this context, research focus has been, so far, predominantly on the development of the hardware (e.g., sensors) and software (e.g., path planning algorithms) technology associated with different levels of vehicle automation (Gandia et al., 2019), particularly since it has been established that the role of hardware has been declining in contrast to the role of software within the transport sector (Thomopoulos et al., 2015). Moreover, the perception that AVs will bring mainly a change to vehicle performance led researchers to explore primarily the short-term implications for traffic flow, road safety and fuel efficiency (Milakis et al., 2017). More recently, “softer” implications of AVs for travel behavior, accessibility, culture, digital divide, health, land use, and social equity have attracted the attention of the research community, acknowledging the possibility of longer term unanticipated (Mladenović, 2019) socio-technical changes because of this emerging mobility technology (Cohn et al., 2019; Curl and Fitt, 2019; Gelauff et al., 2019; Milakis, 2019; Milakis et al., 2018; Milakis and van Wee, 2019; Soteropoulos et al., 2019; Thomopoulos and Givoni, 2015; Whittle et al., 2019; Zhang and Guhathakurta, 2018). Several scholars argue for more active governance of smart mobility ensuring and enhancing public value (i.e., maximizing individual benefits such as access to opportunities, while ensuring inclusive distribution of such benefits and minimizing adverse impacts to the environment and public health) (Docherty et al., 2018; Lyons, 2018; Pangbourne et al., 2020). Research results in all fields indicate that both short- and long-term implications of AVs are expected to be significant, including possible adverse effects for social and environmental sustainability. Moreover, such implications could vary substantially among different countries because of differences in urban form and size of cities, transport networks, travel patterns, governance structures but also due to socio-demographic, cultural and climate factors (Rode et al., 2017).
Despite this rather clear indication and the associated high public interest, policy developments in terms of type, extent, combination and timing of policy responses in this field are still at an early stage (Cohen and Cavoli, 2019; Fraedrich et al., 2018; Milakis, 2019). This might reflect the adoption of a technology driven deployment path for AVs associated with deep uncertainty about possible implications, leaving no or limited space for policy intervention (Taeihagh and Lim, 2019) that could steer deployment of AVs toward desirable, acceptable and sustainable transition as highlighted by WISE-ACTa outputs. Consequently, planners tend to adopt a reactionary “watch and wait” approach regarding AVs integration that could risk social and environmental sustainability (Legacy et al., 2019). According to Stayton and Stilgoe (2020), even the widely used SAE International taxonomy of AV levels (SAE International, 2018) reflects a technologically-centered approach describing the extent that an autonomous driving system can replace a human task. These researchers suggest that for policymakers and the public the technical capabilities of automated vehicles are not so important themselves, as the policies needed so that such vehicles offer safer, more equitable and effective transport system.
This book volume systematically reviews policy relevant implications of AVs and the associated possible policy responses. It comprises 13 chapters discussing: (a) short-term implications of AVs for traffic flow (Chapter 1), human-automated bus systems interaction (Chapter 2), cyber-security and safety (Chapter 3), cyber-security certification and auditing (Chapter 4), non-commuting journeys (Chapter 5); (b) long-term implications of AVs for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and energy (Chapter 6), health and well-being (Chapter 7), data protection (Chapter 8), ethics (Chapter 9), governance (Chapter 10); (c) implications of AVs for the maritime industry (Chapter 11) and urban deliveries (Chapter 12), and (d) overall synthesis and conclusions (Chapter 13).
The book has been initiated within the Action CA16222 of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) entitled “Wider Impacts and Scenario Evaluation of Autonomous and Connected Transport” (WISE-ACTa). WISE-ACT has offered a unique platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among multiple researchers from different countries with diverse backgrounds and expertise to explore relevant policy implications of AVs and identify required policy developments at global level.
In the following section, we present an overview of the 13 book chapters included in this book volume, starting with the short-term implications of AVs (Section 2.1), followed by the long-term implications of AVs (Section 2.2), the implications of AVs for the maritime and freight industry (Section 2.3) and the overall synthesis and conclusions (Section 2.4)
Transitioning to shared electric automated mobility: The need for a transport policy shock
Full text linkPublic and private organizations alike promote shared electric automated vehicles (AVs) as the solution to the sustainable transition of private internal combustion engine-based automobility. We use the multi-level perspective of technological transition as a starting point for developing a conceptual model that describes potential transition paths toward private and shared electric automated automobility. After reviewing relevant literature underpinning this model, we conclude that privately-owned rather than shared (particularly pooled) electric AVs will be the most likely transition, significantly limiting the socio-economic benefits of the so-called three revolutions of automobility (electric-shared-automated). A transport policy shock that would put pressure on the automobility regime (e.g. significant political and ideological shifts in favor of collective over individual mobility) might still make a transition to a shared mobility regime possible
Space transport systems: a new frontier
Full text linkThis article provides insights on space transport systems as a new area of transport planning. It outlines the global space exploration roadmap, highlighting key technological developments for human space missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The article outlines the unique challenges of planning transport systems in space settlements, such as dealing with reduced gravity and extreme environmental conditions. A conceptual model is described, focusing on core elements like infrastructure, travel behaviour, and impacts on safety, health, and equity. Additionally, the paper discusses how space transport research can offer insights for improving Earth-based transport systems, particularly in vehicle design, resource efficiency, and multi-modal integration
Accelerating the shift: Key business, societal, and policy requirements for transitioning to shared electric automated mobility
Full text linkThe paper explores the essential factors to accelerate the transition towards shared electric automated mobility (SEAM). The transition integrates three key automobility revolutions: electrification, automation, and shared mobility. Despite its potential benefits, SEAM faces significant barriers, including economic resistance from vehicle manufacturers, user concerns over convenience and privacy, and challenges faced by public authorities regarding governance and revenue. A dual approach focusing on both the supply (e.g., infrastructure and technology policies) and demand (e.g., pricing strategies and public awareness) is proposed to accelerate the shift. Key policy characteristics such as frequency, speed, and sectoral integration are highlighted as critical to the success of SEAM's implementation
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Beyond rockets: transport planning for permanent space settlements
No full textThis editorial initiates a dialogue on transport planning within permanent space settlements. It introduces a conceptual model outlining key elements and contextual factors integral to the development and operation of transport systems in space communities. The unique constraints of space environments (e.g. cosmic radiation, gravity, atmosphere, temperature, dust and soil) require systems prioritising efficiency, safety, resilience, accessibility, and well-being beyond Earth’s requirements. Collective and active modes along vertical and horizontal axes within compact settlements may be optimal due to resource constraints. Innovative energy storage and sharing systems, enhanced materials, and new maintenance protocols will likely be required for modular, adaptable pressurised tunnel or tube-based transport systems. To ensure safety and operational integrity, a rigorously managed traffic environment is anticipated, requiring a balance between demand, capacities, and service frequencies. Comfortable and joyful travel environments would be needed to alleviate stressors associated with tunnel-based travel. Governance and policies would be expected to prioritise aspects such as well-being and social equity in response to harsh space conditions and resource constraints. Future research could involve system-level, interdisciplinary and participatory futures and simulation methods to address the complexity and uncertainties inherent to transport planning in space settlements
Sustainability prospects for autonomous vehicles: environmental, social and urban
No full textThis book explores to what extent autonomous vehicles (AVs) can contribute to the development of societies that live well and equitably within their ecological limits. The perspective is that AVs could transform the “character” (internal combustion) and the “role” (personal use) of the car, presenting an opportunity for a sustainable transition of automobility. The book is structured in five chapters
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