Charging Infrastructure Assessment for Shared Autonomous EVs in 374 Small/Medium-Sized Urban Areas

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of Shared Autonomous Electric Vehicles (SAEVs) in small and medium-sized urban areas, analyzing the operational and infrastructural requirements of SAEV fleets in 374 urban areas in the US with populations under
375,000. Utilizing agent-based simulations and a comprehensive dataset synthetic trip data derived from real-world trip demand, the research examines critical metrics such as fleet size, trips per vehicle, occupied and unoccupied vehicle miles of travel (VMT),
charging station needs, and ratios of trip requests to stations and vehicles to charging stations. The analysis includes two types of charging stations, Level 2 and Level 3. The results reveal notable spatial variations in SAEV fleet and charging infrastructure
performance within the studied urban areas. Statistical modeling identifies regional road network characteristics and travel demand patterns as contributing factors to these spatial variations. Notably, areas with a higher proportion of dead-ends or 3way
intersections exhibit fewer trips per SAEV, indicating lower fleet efficiency. Conversely, a well connected and denser road network corresponds to a higher number of trips per SAEV. Besides, the study underscores that Level 3 chargers lead to more efficient fleet
size and necessitate fewer charging stations compared to Level 2 chargers. These findings highlight the significance of considering charging infrastructure characteristics to optimize SAEV fleet performance and promote sustainable transportation systems in
urban areas. Policymakers, urban planners, and stockholders can leverage these insights to design and implement effective charging infrastructure for SAEV fleets, thereby advancing the transition to cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions.