Shared autonomous vehicle fleet performance: Impacts of trip densities and parking limitations

Abstract

This study micro-simulates 2% and 5% of the region’s 9.5 million daily person-trips and 20% of trips in the central Twin Cities with shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) in the 7-county Minneapolis–Saint Paul region using MATSim to appreciate the effects of different trip-making densities and curb-use restrictions. Results suggest the average SAV in this region can serve at most 30 person-trips per day with less than 5 min average wait time, but generates 13% more vehicle-miles traveled (VMT). With dynamic ride-sharing (DRS), SAV VMT fell, on average, by 17% and empty VMT (eVMT) fell by 26%. Compared to idling-at-curb scenarios, parking-restricted scenarios generated 8% more VMT. Relying on 52 mi/gallon hybrid electric SAVs, as opposed to a 31 mi/gallon conventional drivetrain SAV, is estimated to lower travelers’ energy use by 21% and reduce tailpipe emissions by 30%, assuming no new or longer trips. Similarly, a 106 mi/gallon equivalent battery-electric fleet does much better by lowering energy use by 64%.