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

  • 2015 Best of ITS Awards announced
    May 1, 2015
    ITS America has announced the list of finalists for the 2015 Best of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Awards which recognises the most innovative projects and influential achievements in the high-tech transportation community. The Best of ITS Awards recognises organisations whose projects have demonstrated specific and measurable outcomes and exemplified innovation by establishing a “new dimension” of performance.
  • TomTom launches TomTom City web traffic portal
    July 7, 2016
    TomTom City, a new traffic portal launched by TomTom, provides live traffic and travel information, including real time traffic status, delay hotspots and road event reporter, for consumers and traffic management experts. TomTom City, which can be found at http://city.tomtom.com, is accessible from any internet enabled computer, tablet or smartphone and provides freely accessible content showing live traffic status and incidents and other driver-based information in cities. This will enable consumers to
  • Siemens Interview with Sven Gabor Janszky
    March 9, 2017
    We speak to trend researcher Sven Gábor Jánszky, head of the renowned 2b AHEAD think tank in Leipzig, on the world view of Generation Y, the mobility-related preferences of digital citizens and their disruptive effects on the transport systems of the future.
  • Flir traffic webinars in November
    November 12, 2015
    The Flir Traficon Academy has organised a series of free, one-hour informative webinars that will teach users more about keeping traffic flowing. 5 November: Vehicle and bicycle presence detector Flir ThermiCam/ TrafiSense is an integrated thermal camera and detector that can be used for vehicle and cycle detection. It does not need light to operate, but uses thermal energy emitted from vehicles and bicyclists. In this webinar, Flir shows how this works, how easy it is to install and to configure Reg