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

  • April 16, 2018
    MaaS is at the ‘baby steps’ stage – but needs to get up and running soon
    Data sharing between organisations remains a potential problem for Mobility as a Service projects, attendees at February's MaaS Market conference in London were told. Alan Dron listens in on the presentations.
  • December 21, 2021
    Sharing data creates value - IRF Geneva
    A report on the sharing of data to improve mobility has come up with a policy framework for the industry. Susanna Zammataro, director general of the International Road Federation in Geneva, explains to Adam Hill why this can empower companies and organisations
  • September 4, 2018
    Getting to the point
    Cars are starting to learn to understand the language of pointing – something that our closest relative, the chimpanzee, cannot do. And such image recognition technology has profound mobility implications, says Nils Lenke Pointing at objects – be it with language, using gaze, gestures or eyes only – is a very human ability. However, recent advances in technology have enabled smart, multimodal assistants - including those found in cars - to action similar pointing capabilities and replicate these human qual
  • May 21, 2025
    Bringing AI into ITS: Artificial realities
    AI can have a positive transformative effect on transportation safety and efficiency – but if you want creativity you still need a person, says Huawei