Automated Vehicles, On-Demand Mobility, and Environmental Impacts

Greenblatt, Jeffery B.; Shaheen, Susan · 2015 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1007/s40518-015-0038-5

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Summary

This review paper examines the history, current developments, and projected environmental impacts of automated vehicles (AVs) and on-demand mobility, exploring the synergies between these two emerging transportation trends. The authors address the potential for these technologies to disrupt conventional private vehicle ownership and public transit, focusing specifically on energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The motivation stems from the rapid advancement of AV technology and the growing popularity of shared mobility services, both of which promise significant societal and environmental changes. The authors analyze existing literature and market data to assess the state of AVs and on-demand mobility. For AVs, they review automation levels defined by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, ranging from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation without human controls). They examine projections from industry analysts regarding the timeline for AV deployment, noting that while manufacturers plan to release Level 3 and 4 systems between 2017 and 2020, expert opinions on widespread adoption vary significantly, with some predicting full fleet automation by 2030 and others by 2055. For on-demand mobility, the paper categorizes services into carsharing, ridesharing, ridesourcing (transportation network companies), and e-hail services, reviewing empirical studies on their usage patterns and impacts. The findings indicate that AVs offer potential benefits including increased safety, efficient road use, and energy savings through platooning and optimized traffic flow. However, the authors note that AVs could also increase vehicle miles traveled (VMT) due to increased accessibility for non-drivers and unoccupied trips. Despite these risks, the authors argue that net energy decreases are likely because system-wide efficiency gains outweigh potential VMT increases. Regarding on-demand mobility, the paper cites evidence that carsharing reduces vehicle ownership, with each shared vehicle removing 9 to 13 private vehicles from the road. Carsharing users also experience reduced VMT and GHG emissions, with studies showing a 34% to 41% reduction in household GHG emissions. Ridesourcing services show higher occupancy rates than traditional taxis and can serve as first- and last-mile connectors to public transit. The significance of this research lies in the potential synergy between AVs and shared mobility. The authors propose that shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) could amplify the environmental benefits of both trends. By combining the efficiency of small, electric AVs with the high utilization rates of shared fleets, SAVs could reduce per-mile GHG emissions by approximately 90% compared to current private vehicles. This model addresses barriers to traditional carsharing, such as the need to travel to kiosks, and creates economic incentives for highly efficient vehicles due to high annual mileage. The authors conclude that while AVs and on-demand mobility will transform personal transportation, their aggregate impact is likely to offer greater energy and environmental benefits than conventional vehicles, aiding efforts to decarbonize the transportation sector.

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• acceptance adoption
• driverless ads