14.3: Vehicle Automation
- Page ID
- 41989
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In recent years, interest in vehicle automation has soared. Some reports have predicted that vehicles could be fully automated (that is, not requiring a driver) by as early as 2025, though this is highly unlikely other than in tightly bounded areas with easy driving conditions. As an extension of ITS, vehicle automation could have both positive and negative effects on society (Figure 14.3.1). Vehicle automation could lead to reduced emissions, due to congestion reduction (for example, crash avoidance, platooning), traffic smoothing (for example, cooperative adaptive cruise control), and better speed management (for example, speed harmonization). Indeed, eco-driving behaviors could be directly programmed into the automated vehicle operation.
On the other hand, vehicle automation could potentially increase emissions by increasing vehicle travel. People might use their automated vehicles for additional purposes or choose a more distant place to live, since the time cost of travel would be reduced. Automated vehicles could be used by a wider range of users, including youth and elderly. “Drop-off” errands might increase, resulting in new empty vehicle relocation trips, such as returning home without any passengers.
Some early conclusions regarding automated vehicles include the following:
- Partial and full automation can reduce energy use and emissions, but only if incentives exist to encourage pooled use of vehicles.
- Automated vehicles that communicate and coordinate with other vehicles and the infrastructure will likely have greater improvements in safety, mobility, and the environment compared with autonomous vehicles without those capabilities.
- Automated vehicles have the strong potential to induce travel demand, unless incentives exist for pooled use of the vehicles.
- It may be advantageous to first introduce automation in fleet applications or shared mobility, since their operations (that is, total travel) can be closely managed and pooling can be more easily encouraged.