1665990 - Role of Autonomous Transit Vehicles in the future Connected Autonomous Vehicles Network System

There is considerable progress in the ongoing research, development, and testing towards achieving Connected Autonomous Vehicle Network System (CAVNS). Currently, most of the effort is to enhance efficiency, operation, and safety of automobiles.  In future, these benefits will increase auto ownership and auto travel. There are several concerns that the CAVNS will create adverse effects on urban mobility such as increasing congestion due to the human behavior of making more trips when the comfort, convenience, and safety improve in a travel mode. These concerns could be minimized or eliminated if the Autonomous Transit Vehicles (ATV) enter the system with the same positive features that are available in the CAVNS.

The introduction of Autonomous Transit Vehicles into the Connected Autonomous Vehicles Network will bring in a completely different urban transit system available to the public which will be able to compete with the automobiles. The major disadvantages associated with the current bus transit systems are high operating and maintenance cost due to the need for drivers, high cost of fuel and maintenance of internal combustion engines, fixed route service which requires last mile travel at the origin and destination, large size buses to reduce the driver/passenger ratio, and increased travel time associated with intermediate stops.

This paper will highlight in detail how the urban transit service in the future Connected Autonomous Vehicle Network System could compete with automobile travel in providing balanced urban transportation benefiting both auto owners and non-owners.