What do you do if autonomous vehicles become the primary mode of transportation?

Relegate cars to being solely a mode of transport rather than an extension of ones personality, wealth, home or storage facility - as it should be.

Although automated vehicles offer a huge array of opportunities, it is really important to remember that road users are not only vehicular traffic, but also includes pedestrians and cyclists as well. So with the changes made to the hierarchy of users on our roads, traffic systems will be required to ensure the safe and efficient flow of active modes for all users, including those with mobility and sensory impairments, so traffic signals will probably be needed for a long time to come!

Give up because the world has gone crazy, the laws of geography and geometry been corrupted, the triumph of the individual and/or the techhead complete.

The above states as fact that AVs can travel closer together and will therefore require less road space. But surely it is also possible that a (level 5) AV vehicle (which will not need a steering wheel or a ‘driving seat’ as such) may come in all different sizes and shapes - perhaps, in extreme, with a bedroom and/or mobile office attached! To the extent that AV drives a demand for larger vehicles, then AV vehicles may turn out to require more road space rather than less.

The major challenges: - Profit driven development negates standardisation - Lack of harmonised global standards increase cost and investment risk - Corner cases are driving the cost The more specific the solutions becomes, complexity increases exponentially. A 100% capable self driving solution will need infinite resources. In practice there will never be a fully self driving vehicle without some pretty obvious limits.

Legal and regulatory frameworks will need to be updated to address issues such as liability, insurance, licensing, and safety standards specific to autonomous vehicles.

The policy development is driven by the perception of the autonomous vehicles presented mostly by the AV technology developers. This perception should be questioned first. More research needs to be carried out to develop the AVs which can realise the full potential of technologies we have. - see my comment on "Rethinking Road".

In my opinion, the proactive involvement of urban planners in policy development for AVs is not just beneficial but necessary. It ensures that the transition to autonomous transportation is both smooth and safe, addressing potential risks while fostering an environment that encourages technological progress. This approach could significantly contribute to the successful and harmonious integration of AVs into our daily lives, marking a pivotal step towards more sustainable and efficient urban mobility.

This stage will cover the technical and technological issues and how to link different transportation planning systems to vehicle technologies. Traffic management systems will be centralized and directly related to each vehicle. Also, control over traffic distribution will be self-updating in real-time.

Agreed but we're a long way from true AVs (see my response to 7). Therefore, the legal issues are less pressing since they will be to limited to instances where AVs only operate in designated locations or wheeecwe're really only talking about driver assistance technology.

To enable the smooth functioning of autonomous vehicles (AVs), roads require robust connectivity infrastructure. This includes high-speed internet access for real-time data exchange between vehicles and infrastructure, such as traffic signals and road signs. Dedicated communication protocols like Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) enable AVs to receive updated traffic information, road conditions, and navigation data. Additionally, infrastructure like roadside sensors and smart traffic management systems facilitate vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, enhancing AVs' ability to navigate safely and efficiently. Such connectivity infrastructure is essential for ensuring seamless coordination between AVs and their environment.

Enhanced connectivity is the backbone of autonomous vehicle technology, facilitating seamless communication between vehicles and infrastructure. This integration is critical for the real-time responsiveness of AVs to traffic, weather, and potential hazards. The emphasis on cybersecurity within this digital framework is equally crucial, as it ensures the protection of data and the prevention of malicious attacks. Collaborations with tech companies and investments in cutting-edge technologies are imperative to achieve this advanced level of connectivity. In my view, prioritizing these elements will not only propel the advancement of autonomous vehicles but also significantly elevate the safety and efficiency of urban transportation systems.

Robust communication networks will be necessary for vehicles to interact with each other and with infrastructure effectively. This includes reliable internet connectivity and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication systems.

Agreed but we're a long way from true AVs (see my response to 7). See also my answer to 1. When and if AVs become feasible, they will not require much road furniture. E.g., fully connected and integrated AVs won't need stop signs. Instead, they will be able to 'talk' directly to each other, and a central system. Therefore, other road users may need to be banned from areas where where AVs become ubiquitous due to the added and unnecessary cost of accomodating these putdated and outmoded forns of transport. Much like we don't let bicycles on high speed freeways. That would be way too dangerous.

The big problem will be how to protect all only electronic processes to the traffic management against hackers. It will be really feasible?

AVs have a lot of positive effects, the most important one is the fact that public space will be available for other uses, so is also an opportunity to promote active mobility all over the city's

There is a slightly dystopian image of huge numbers of empty automated vehicles circling our roads amongst high-levels of congestion as we work, play or even whilst we're at home, so we do need to plan for how we implement this huge development for our future mobility.

With the potential for autonomous vehicles to reduce the need for individual ownership, parking infrastructure may need to be repurposed or redesigned to accommodate shared autonomous fleets and reduce urban congestion.

The anticipated shift in parking needs due to autonomous vehicles presents a transformative opportunity for urban planning and land use. Repurposing parking spaces into green spaces, housing, or commercial areas could significantly enhance the quality of urban life, making cities more livable and sustainable. This forward-thinking approach not only addresses the reduced necessity for parking but also encourages a proactive stance towards maximizing community benefits. It's an innovative way to reclaim valuable urban space for more socially and environmentally beneficial uses, fostering a more integrated and vibrant urban fabric.

Autonomous vehicles can be beneficial in the long term toward addressing housing shortages by repurposing parking into housing.

Public Transport must be the priority, autonomous or not. In my eyes, autonomous passenger cars won’t improve transport capacity as a whole and should be a solution for the last mile connectivity.

Autonomous vehicles have the best chance to complement public transportation through last mile connections better than solutions that have been tried to date.

Autonomous vehicles can complement public transit systems by providing first and last-mile solutions, enhancing accessibility, and optimizing routes based on demand.

Integrating autonomous vehicles (AVs) with public transit represents a forward-thinking approach to crafting a more efficient and inclusive transportation ecosystem. By offering last-mile solutions and potentially replacing underutilized bus routes, AVs can significantly enhance the accessibility and convenience of public transit. This integration promises to reduce urban congestion and ensure equitable access to transportation innovations, marking a pivotal step towards a more connected and sustainable urban mobility framework. It's a strategic move that aligns with future mobility needs and societal benefits.

Integrating public transport with smaller autonomous vehicle for first and last mile transport can provide seamless and efficient travel for everyone and will reduce need for private vehicle as long as its easy, convinience and fast to acces and more cheap than use private vehicle

AVs offer the potential of increased inclusion within society for those, for example: that are too young to drive (based on legislation); that have physical or mobility impairments which prevent them from driving; or, simply do not want to drive. Whether this potential is realised will depend on the cost and means of access, so equity may be spatially limited both within a country (for example an urban-rural divide based on population density and therefore commercial viability) and between countries (for example based on differing levels of available discretionary expenditure).

Efforts should be made to ensure that autonomous transportation benefits all members of society equitably, including those with limited access to traditional transportation options or in underserved communities.

As autonomous vehicles (AVs) become increasingly prevalent, it's imperative to address equity concerns to ensure that the benefits of this technology are accessible to all members of society. Transportation planners play a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that prioritize equity in AV deployment. This includes considering the impact of AVs on employment opportunities, particularly for drivers displaced by automation, and implementing strategies to mitigate adverse effects on disadvantaged communities. By prioritizing equity in transportation planning, planners can help bridge the gap between technological advancement and social inclusivity, thereby fostering a future where the benefits of AVs are equitably distributed.

Address privacy and protect mobility freedoms. If the future enables machines to control our vehicles, routes of travel, there is an obvious benefit for safety and options for those with disabilities who can't drive level 1-3 vehicles, but also a huge danger of government and machine control over our lives and tracking. What travel choices will be allowed? What if you want to go somewhere unapproved? What if planners want people to make choices they don't want to make in order to promote government goals? Who else gets your mobility data? These issues must be solved with a goal of preserving liberty and freedom and giving citizens opt-out rights.

To re-think and re-do the entire infrastructure will be a large challenge, as this will include to re-visit every planning aspect that has gone into the implementation of the entire system. Instead of AVs being proposed as a primary mode of transport (which is not nearly plausible), it can be considered for planning as another set of vehicle mode and conceptualised for accommodating such that mode in the network/regions where there is the user demand on AVs. Also, there are many challenges that require resolution prior to full implementation of AVs in any system and policies directing towards the implementation must be in place. For this purpose the interdisciplinary resolution between AV makers and transport planners/engineers is vital.

The idea of autonomous vehicles on public roads is supplying a solution to a problem we don't have. Leave them on mine sites where they are in a controlled space and do an excellent job, but do not allow them to interact with normal traffic. The big question is, who will get the blame for the first death between an autonomous vehicle and a car being driven by a human??

Everything changes. However, the cost and time for the infrastructure placement will provide years to get new policies and plans completed. Also, simply having state or federal government mandate changes by a certain date is not practical. The current fleet will take years to transition or be modified for autonomous operation. AI will be a major factor in testing various scenarios before implementation of a viable approach, and that approach will differ by jurisdiction.

Traffic sharing could be increased, review capacity manuals and capacity analysis software packages, rethink layout, circulation and capacity of parking facilities.