Skip to main content

Atkins calls for urgent action on CAVs

A new white paper issued this week by Atkins says there is an urgent need to understand the full impact of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on cities around the world and to invest in adapted infrastructure now. Members of the Atkins Fellowship from across the world are meeting this week with clients and government in a technical conference to discuss the future of our cities and how they will be impacted by the advent of CAVs. The event, part of a broader Intelligent Mobility week, will analyse
October 26, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A new white paper issued this week by 1677 Atkins says there is an urgent need to understand the full impact of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on cities around the world and to invest in adapted infrastructure now.

Members of the Atkins Fellowship from across the world are meeting this week with clients and government in a technical conference to discuss the future of our cities and how they will be impacted by the advent of CAVs. The event, part of a broader Intelligent Mobility week, will analyse the topic around four key themes: Infrastructure, energy, data and public perception.    

Neil Thomas, Atkins’ technical director, said: “It is no longer a question of ‘if’ CAVs will be on our roads, it is ‘when’. Greater connectivity and autonomy will have a profound impact on our road, energy and communication networks. We need to determine what upgrades will be required to make our existing infrastructure smarter, and what basic principles need to be adhered to in all future design. We have the technical skills and knowledge to do this. What we’re missing is a single vision of the future and the unified approach required to realise it.”

The research suggests that discussion should focus on four main areas: Infrastructure, energy, data and public perception.

Lila Tachtsi, Atkins’ Fellow and director, transport asset management said: “As we connect CAVs with our city infrastructure we must recognise that the challenge is not just about technology, about data, about the user, not just about infrastructure – it is about getting them to work all together.

“Change is being driven by the need to plan for rapid urbanisation, meet ambitious carbon reduction targets and by the shift in the way people engage with services. We’re already moving towards a more connected future. We need to maintain that momentum by encouraging authorities and providers to work together to maximise the opportunities, and to take action now.”

Related Content

  • March 12, 2012
    Joint IBTTA and ITS conference focuses on environmental issues
    In St Louis on 4-6 October, the IBTTA and ITS America will be co-sponsoring their first joint event, which is intended to address the burgeoning environmental issues affecting road transport infrastructures. Here, Steve Snider and Larry Yermack, the two chief meeting organisers, talk about the event and its aims
  • October 11, 2012
    CBI calls for new approach to road funding
    The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) calls for road charging should be introduced on the strategic road network in England. Proposals in the report, Bold Thinking: A model to fund our future roads also suggest that responsibility for the network’s budget should be taken away from the Department for Transport (DfT) and given to an independent regulator. Launching the report, CBI director-general John Cridland said a regulatory asset base (RAB) model was required to address the problem of long-term fu
  • December 4, 2012
    Report identifies opportunities for road freight carbon and cost reduction
    Switching from diesel to gas, reducing rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag and introducing more hybrid and electric vehicles are identified as key opportunities for further cutting carbon and improving efficiency in the road freight sector, according to a new report commissioned by the Transport Knowledge Transfer Network (TKTN) and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP). The report, written by Ricardo-AEA for the project partners, focuses on the key technical opportunities, and identifies options
  • April 9, 2024
    ITS America's Laura Chace: "We're on the precipice of potentially incredible change"
    Laura Chace, president & CEO of ITS America, talks to Adam Hill about knowledge gaps, Phoenix, the pace of change, digitalisation, AI - and the importance of authenticity…