Mapping the Equity Implications of Autonomous Vehicle Technology by Level of Automation

Equity is a prevalent topic within emerging transportation literature, but a consensus on the meaning of equity is lacking. Results of equity research and case studies are ambiguous. In this research, we review existing literature and conceptualize applications of automation technology to identify and assess how equity is analyzed within transportation. Existing research concludes that automation technology and autonomous vehicles (AVs) can enhance mobility while warning of potential dangers to disadvantaged subsets of the population. While these findings are analyzed in our research, the assertion that AVs can be both positive and negative is vague and fails to provide insight into how automation technology can engender inequity through their impacts.

We propose that equity is the ongoing process of achieving equivalent usability of a given affordance through adjustment for difference while minimizing discriminatory disaffordances. This definition of equity is used to evaluate the implications of automation technology as identified by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Our definition establishes a framework to understand the effects of automation technology and encourages an enhanced and pragmatic understanding of equity implications related to each SAE automation level. We advocate for a more comprehensive application of equity to the future design and deployment of automation technology through this research. Future analysis can expand upon the provided definition to further develop an understanding of equity within transportation and to ensure future design and planning efforts direct attention to better serving historically disadvantaged communities.