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

  • EVs providing power to Portuguese island
    June 17, 2019
    Electric vehicles (EVs) are being used to power people’s homes on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. Part of Portugal’s Madeira archipelago, Porto Santo is using solar-powered EVs, according to a BBC report. They are charged during the day, with unused energy returned to the grid at night. The Portuguese island is not the only part of the world seeking to harness the potential of solar energy for EVs. In India, Bharat Heavy Electricals is setting up a network of solar-based electric vehicle
  • ITS European Congress 2020 to be hosted by Lisbon
    February 11, 2019
    ITS European Congress 2020 is to take place in Lisbon, bringing together international mobility stakeholders next year in the Portuguese capital. Organised by Ertico – ITS Europe, the Congress will be themed 'ITS - The Game Changer’ and is an opportunity to display Lisbon's latest achievements in the field of intelligent mobility services. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ertico CEO Jacob Bangsgaard, Rui Camolino, president of ITS Portugal, and Miguel Gaspar, mobility councillor for Lisb
  • Berg Insight: Fleet Management in Australia and New Zealand expected to grow in years to come
    October 27, 2017
    The number of Fleet Management (FM) systems in active use is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.7% from almost 0.7 million units in 2016 to 1.4 million by 2021. The findings come from the latest report from Berg Insight: Fleet Management in Australia and New Zealand - 2nd edition, which also estimates that the penetration rate in the total population of non-privately-owned fleet vehicles used by businesses is estimated to increase from 14.8% in 2016 to 27.8% in 2021.
  • Bill Ford discusses future mobility at World Congress
    September 8, 2014
    Bill Ford’s thoughts on the future of mobility may be a surprise to many as he told delegates about his concerns over what he termed ‘Global Gridlock’. “You can’t just keep on sending more vehicles into the urban environment, it isn’t going to work.”