Autonomous Urban Mobility: Understanding Innovation Principles, Priorities, Policies

This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the rapidly evolving field of autonomous urban mobility, examining its transformative potential and the principles guiding its innovation. This essential resource offers deep insights into the societal, policy, and urban impacts of autonomous vehicles, drawing on an extensive body of research. Beginning with a review of smart urban mobility innovations, the book explores technological advancements such as connected vehicles, mobility-as-a-service platforms, and shared autonomous systems, evaluating their successes and challenges.

This book traces the evolution of autonomous vehicle research over the past two decades, identifying key trends, methodologies, and future research directions, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to address complex challenges. Subsequent chapters critically assess the technical capabilities, societal impacts, and policy frameworks necessary for the widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles, with a focus on implications for land use, infrastructure, and environmental planning. Public acceptance is a recurring theme, with an in-depth analysis of socio-demographic, psychological, and contextual factors influencing attitudes towards autonomous mobility. This book also examines the role of shared autonomous systems in addressing urban challenges such as congestion and equity, highlighting their potential to create more sustainable urban transportation networks. Concluding with a discussion on the disruptive impacts of autonomous vehicles on urban form and land use, the author provides a balanced perspective on the opportunities and risks of mobility-as-a-service.

This key reference book equips academics, policymakers, urban planners, and industry professionals with the knowledge to navigate the complex interplay of technology, policy, and societal impact, advancing the vision of smarter and more sustainable cities.

This volume, alongside its companion―Autonomous Urban Mobility: Understanding Adoption Parameters, Perceptions, Perspectives―offers a holistic view of autonomous urban mobility. Together, these books provide a comprehensive exploration of the rapidly evolving landscape of autonomous urban mobility, the principles guiding its innovation, the wide-ranging impacts of its adoption on society, policy, and urban environments, and the transformative potential of autonomous vehicles in the future of urban transportation.

Tan Yigitcanlar, a globally recognised Australian researcher and author in urban studies, technology, and planning, is ranked among the world’s top 1% of scientists. He is a Professor at Queensland University of Technology’s School of Architecture and Built Environment and the Director of the QUT Urban AI Hub in Brisbane, Australia.