Skip to main content

Polis: the role of cities and regions on road vehicle automation

Local and regional authorities and public transport providers need to play a more prominent role in the development of policy around autonomous vehicles (AVs), according to a new paper from Brussels-based Polis. Called Road Vehicle Automation and Cities and Regions, the study aims to raise awareness of AV developments and their potential mobility impact among city and regional administrations and to assist them in setting transport policies. In addition, Polis intends to increase awareness of transport
January 31, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

Local and regional authorities and public transport providers need to play a more prominent role in the development of policy around autonomous vehicles (AVs), according to a new paper from Brussels-based Polis. Called Road Vehicle Automation and Cities and Regions, the study aims to raise awareness of AV developments and their potential mobility impact among city and regional administrations and to assist them in setting transport policies.

In addition, Polis intends to increase awareness of transport policies among vehicle manufacturers and other key players, as well as communicate the views of local government on AV developments to a range of policy makers. The document is also striving to challenge the AV community to develop products and services that fit the communities they will be used in.

Polis has recognised that widespread introduction in urban areas could lead to increased congestion, negative environmental impacts and negative health impacts if walking and cycling are discouraged.

The paper recommends that City and regional authorities start considering what policies will ensure a positive outcome and highlights the need for a dialogue between the transport authorities, industry and service providers on AV deployment-related issues. It also suggests that more research is needed on the impact of AVs in urban environments and that the National government and 1690 European Commission (EC) should pay greater attention to sustainable mobility goals, in line with the EU Transport White Paper. Additionally, the EC and member states can also play a role in enabling these recommendations, through research programmes, regulation and as facilitators of multi-stakeholder cooperation.

More information on the definition of automation; the potential impacts of automation and the issues that city and regional authorities need to address and engage on, can be found within a full copy of the %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external paper Polis network discussion paper link false https://www.polisnetwork.eu/uploads/Modules/PublicDocuments/polis_discussion_paper_automated_vehicles.pdf false false%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • White paper examines ITS application across four major cities
    December 19, 2017
    Frost & Sullivan and Isbak have released a white paper examining how intelligent transportation systems (ITS) used in Singapore, London, New York and Istanbul are being used on existing roadways to reduce congestion and emissions efficiently. The paper provides an in-depth analysis of transportation policies, implementation methods, best practices and challenges for key cities and how commuters, city management councils and the environment could benefit from ITS implementation.
  • ST Engineering to develop ITS and AV technology in Israel
    November 5, 2018
    Singapore technology company ST Engineering intends to develop ITS and autonomous vehicle (AV) capabilities in Israel following an agreement with the municipality of Ashdod. The scope of the agreement includes ITS for roads and a fleet management system for buses.
  • E Ink partners with Papercast on smart bus stop project in Japan
    February 20, 2018
    Papercast's solar-powered e-paper passenger information displays will be utilised for a smart bus stop project in Japan's Aizuwakamatsu city as part of a partnership with E Ink Holdings. The project, administered by Aizu Riding Car Development (ARCD), aims to improve service convenience and reduce ongoing costs through digitally connecting bus stops. The multi-lingual displays are managed remotely via Papercast's data management platform to deliver live bus arrivals, timetables, route data, route transfers
  • ETI seeks partners for commercial deployment of marine vessel technology modelling system
    December 2, 2016
    The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) is seeking partners for a project which will develop a tool to provide accurate and transparent data on the performance of different types of vessels for use by stakeholders involved in the shipping industry. One of the major challenges of reducing carbon emissions from the shipping industry is convincing vessel financiers to invest in technologies that will make existing and future vessels more fuel efficient. Although a number of fuel efficient technologies already