Connected and autonomous vehicles and new mobility services are becoming increasingly available and they’re challenging decades of government policy, as well as the fundamental assumptions of transportation and land-use planning. These technologies and services, and, in particular, the potential of these technologies and services, is creating great uncertainty with regards to future travel demand, travel behaviour, vehicle ownership and the safety and capacity of transportation systems.
One of the key elements in providing efficient transportations systems, will be that are space efficient. After prioritising walking and cycling in cities, this will require simultaneous sharing of vehicles thus decreasing the current sharp boundaries between private vehicles, taxis and public transit services.
Robust planning strategies can no longer ignore these implications. Through internal and external research and process development, WSP is establishing methods to help agencies proactively develop policies and evaluate scenarios for various advanced technology futures.
In the US, our experts are working in multiple sites and with numerous partners, such as in Maryland and Michigan, where WSP is responsible for developing and deploying the roadside infrastructure that communicates with vehicles being tested at MCity, one of the few testing campuses in the world dedicated to C/AV technology.
In the UK, WSP is the CAV Project Implementation Partner for Highways England; enabling the development of a world class ecosystem for CAV deployment. WSP is also well positioned as leading advisors on electric vehicle policy, charging infrastructure provision and implementation of low emission zones. Ian Patey, Head of Profession for Intelligent Transport in the UK said “Working alongside Highways England, Transport for London and Kent County Council to create connected corridors is the first exciting step in embracing new technology and services in road travel.”
WSP published a guide that assists government officials in determining the necessary infrastructure and policy changes brought by the advent of connected and autonomous vehicles.
In Australia, WSP is working with partners to understand how the introduction of connected and autonomous vehicle will affect road operators. We are also participating in route assessments for fully automated, driverless, buses.