Who Wants an Automated Vehicle?

Thurlow, David A.; Sawyer, Ben D. · 2019 · Crossref

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-7949-6.ch008

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Summary

This chapter examines the societal implications of "New Mobility," a term encompassing advancements in vehicle automation, electrification, data connectivity, and digital sharing. The authors argue that while these technologies promise to revolutionize transportation, their outcomes are not technologically determined but socially constructed. Drawing on Science and Technology Studies (STS), the paper posits that various social groups—ranging from corporations to communities—shape technological development through competing "sociotechnical imaginaries." The authors contend that current trajectories, driven largely by commercial interests, risk increasing energy use, environmental costs, and social inequity, necessitating immediate public engagement to ensure community interests influence the deployment of automated vehicles (AVs). The analysis categorizes the primary actors shaping AV development and their respective motivations. Automobile manufacturers, exemplified by Volvo, promote private ownership and individual comfort, envisioning vehicles that offer flexible modes of driving or relaxation. Technology companies like Google and Apple advocate for fully driverless systems, motivated by safety, accessibility, and the economic potential of capturing user attention and data during travel. Ride-hailing firms such as Uber and Lyft push for a shift from ownership to ride-buying, aiming to eliminate driver costs and reduce parking infrastructure. Land developers support these shifts to repurpose parking spaces for denser urban construction or to facilitate low-density suburban growth. Regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, generally support innovation but hold divergent priorities regarding safety and infrastructure. The authors identify four critical areas where these commercial visions may negatively impact society. First, AVs could significantly increase Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) through induced demand, reduced use of public transit, and "deadheading" (unoccupied vehicle movement), leading to greater congestion and energy consumption. Second, automation threatens millions of jobs, particularly in trucking and taxi services, as well as ancillary industries like auto repair and accident response. Third, the technology exacerbates social inequity and privacy concerns; benefits may accrue primarily to the wealthy, while lower-income users face inferior service conditions, and pervasive data collection creates unprecedented surveillance risks. Finally, safety improvements are not immediate; mixed traffic environments will persist for decades, and ethical dilemmas regarding autonomous decision-making in collisions may hinder consumer acceptance. The chapter concludes that the future of transportation is at a critical crossroads where engineering capabilities alone do not guarantee positive societal outcomes. Because the development of AVs is currently driven by groups with specific commercial interests, there is a risk that broader public goods will be externalized. The authors argue for a balanced approach that integrates individual and community perspectives, urging communities to actively define their own transportation goals and advocate for their interests before these technologies become entrenched.

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Topics

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• acceptance adoption
• driverless ads