Exploring the impacts of Connected and Automated Vehicles

WSP and the Centre for International Economics (CIE) have partnered to develop a new report titled “The Economic Impacts of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs)”. The report considers a range of scenarios to determine overall benefits, broad costs, and implications of enabling CAVs.

Some of the key costs and benefits identified include:

• Reduced road incidents
• Reduced need for parking
• Increased road capacity and reduced congestion
• Time saved for drivers, and costs saved where drivers would otherwise be employed
• Impacts on jobs
• Improved accessibility and mobility
• Increased productivity and cost savings for freight
• Fuel savings and reduced emissions
• Increased cost of road infrastructure and maintenance
• Potential to increase car usage and urban sprawl
• Increased vehicle purchasing and maintenance costs

The report findings highlight the importance of continuing to explore and develop CAV technology, outlining the potential for significant social and economic benefits for the Australian community over the next 50 years.

Download the full report here

This report was published by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts, to help government agencies and the transport industry better understand the scale of economic benefit which can result from CAVs. WSP has previously advised the department on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems, delivering the report, “Advice on Strategies to Support C-ITS in Australia”, which informed the Commonwealth and State Governments in creating draft principles for a national approach to C-ITS.

These documents provide a useful basis for ongoing discussions and decisions about what Australia’s transport future will look like, and the role that Connected and Automated Vehicles will play. 

For more information, contact us. 

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