Automated vehicles and how they may affect urban form: A review of recent scenario studies

Abstract

Motorisation in cities has fundamentally transformed urban patterns of development, ranging from residential parking and density standards of single buildings on one hand to urban infrastructure construction and the expansion of entire cities on the other. The introduction of automated vehicles (AVs) has enormous potential to transform urbanisation patterns and urban design even further. However, the direction in which this technology will change the city is contested and a diverse set of views can be found. This paper provides a review of scenarios on these issues to date. Although some scenario studies provide useful insights about urban growth and change, very few consider detailed impacts of AVs on urban form, such as the density and mix of functions, the layout of urban development and the accessibility of locations, including the distance to transit.