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

  • Looking for the next generation of smart city innovators
    July 24, 2015
    With the aim of fostering innovation and developing the next generation of technology talent, GE Lighting has become the founding sponsor of a unique new urban regeneration initiative, the Intelligent Community Challenge. Centred on a design competition, the initiative aims to crowd source new perspectives and fresh ideas on key urban challenges such as public safety, crime, social inclusion, traffic and pollution, by uniting local councils, communities and university students to develop intelligent and inn
    Read More
  • MaaS Market London tackles transport firms’ big question
    February 6, 2019
    Will Mobility as a Service (MaaS) destroy public transport as we know it? That’s the question representatives from the taxi, bus, rail and multi-modal sectors will consider in ‘The role of vertical transport providers’, the opening session of the 2019 MaaS Market Conference (London, 20-21 March). Amid growing evidence of traditional transport operators losing out to the new mobility providers, particularly in urban areas, the panel session will debate the potential and actual benefits and pitfalls of par
    Read More
  • Linux forms foundation to improve mobility
    May 15, 2019
    The Linux Foundation has formed the Urban Computing Foundation to allow companies like Google and Uber to collaborate on open source software to improve mobility. Linux, a non-profit organisation, says the software can also be used to improve safety, traffic congestion and energy consumption in connected cities. Jim Zemlin, executive director of Linux, says: “The Urban Computing Foundation is poised to provide the compatibility tools and resources for developers to create software that can map out a
    Read More
  • Two weeks left to purchase early bird tickets for MaaS Market, London
    January 4, 2018
    Delegates have until 19 January to take advantage of the discounted £325 ($240) Early Bird tickets for ITS International‘s second MaaS Market – Concept to Delivery conference in London on 20 and 21 February. This year’s event will focus on the progress and obstacles faced by MaaS projects across Europe and will consist of presentations from Portugal, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Hamburg plus Birmingham, Manchester and Dundee from the UK. The programme will cover the political and regulatory implications,
    Read More

Highlighted Content