Planning for Connected, Autonomous and Shared Mobility: A Synopsis of Practitioners’ Perspectives

• Published in: Procedia computer science 2020, Vol.170, p.419-426
• Main Authors: Habib, Muhammad Ahsanul, Lynn, Rachel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: autonomous vehicle; Connected; New mobility; Planning consideration; Research need; Shared mobility
• ISSN: 1877-0509; 1877-0509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2020.03.084

This paper contributes to a growing discussion on how communities plan to prepare for new mobility opportunities offered by technological innovations, specifically shared mobility services, electric vehicles, connected and autonomous vehicles, and Mobility as a Service. Literature in this field predominantly concentrates on technology and operation, market research and impact assessment. There is a clear gap in understanding how practitioners anticipate the planning considerations and research needs to prepare for the transformation of the transportation system. Taking a participatory approach, this research attempts to fill this gap through focus group sessions that capture the perspectives of practicing planners. The issues identified by the participants of this study include regulations/policy for emerging technologies, standardization of infrastructure design, rethinking land use planning, and foreseeing economic benefit and equity issues. This study reveals a set of planning considerations ranging from infrastructure provisions in the short-term to an adaptive approach in writing policy for the long-term. Given the uncertainty of newer technologies, the participants emphasized that practitioners need more information, such as the evolution of technologies, land use implications and design potentials.