A Framework for Shaping the Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles and Advanced Equity Outcomes: Knight Autonomous Vehicle Initiative
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Date
2021-01
Authors
Steckler, Becky
Howell, Amanda
Larco, Nico
Kaplowitz, Grace
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Just a year or so ago, it seemed that fleets of autonomous vehicles (AVs) would soon be deployed on city streets providing a robo-taxi service like Uber and Lyft—just without a driver. The timeline for commercial deployments of AVs has been significantly delayed by the technological challenges associated with safely deploying driverless vehicles, as well as by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during the pandemic, however, automakers and technology companies continued to conduct research and test a range of autonomous vehicles—freight trucks on freeways, passenger vehicles on city streets, and smaller vehicles transporting goods on streets, in bike lanes, and on sidewalks—to develop commercial use cases and prepare for deployment.
AV technology has the potential to have major impacts on cities, both positive and negative. AVs could increase safety and help reduce congestion and pollution, but they could very well exacerbate existing inequities if they are simply layered on to the problematic and car-dependent transportation ecosystems that exist today. Chances are that AVs will be deployed eventually, and many states are already enacting legislation that preempts local decision making. As a result, communities across the United States understand that they need to plan for AVs before they arrive in order to maximize the potential benefits. The current moment provides an opportunity for the public sector to be proactive in shaping the deployment, applying lessons learned from the deployment of transportation network companies (TNCs), e-scooters, and other new mobility technologies.
With support from the Knight Foundation, the cities of Detroit, Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Miami-Dade County in Florida—the “cohort”—are actively working to understand how AVs can be deployed in ways that reflect community input and meet local needs. They are working with residents, employees, and business and community leaders to better understand mobility needs and how AV deployment can help achieve community goals.
Description
38 pages
Keywords
community needs, vehicle sharing, vehicle ownership, disruption, equitable access, new mobility, policies