The development and operation of connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) are expected to radically transform the public transportation sector. Leading European cities are establishing meaningful partnerships to experiment with CAVs and understand how to best integrate them for making public transport systems more connected, responsive, inclusive, affordable and environmentally friendly. This involves the adoption of solutions such as electric mobility, digital infrastructure, active network management, fleet upgrades, and user-centred mobility services. Cities need new strategies to overcome the challenges of uncertain timelines, emerging disruptive technologies (such as robotics, IoT, AI and 5G), evolving public policy, growing customer expectations and limited funding resources.

Europe is a well-established leader in transit and vehicle technologies. Building on this trend, the European Commission (EC) aims to make Europe a world leader in the deployment of CAVs. The Third Mobility Package includes communication on connected and automated mobility to set the EC’s agenda on creating policies and legislation relating to aspects such as cybersecurity, liability, data use, privacy and radio spectrum/connectivity. The EC is also co-funding research and innovation projects (H2020) as well as pilot initiatives.

Global Mass Transit is organising its first conference on the Impact of Autonomous Vehicles on Public Transport - Rethinking Urban Mobility on November 13-14, 2019 at the Steigenberger Wiltcher’s Hotel in Brussels. The conference is unique in that it will focus on the development and deployment of CAVs for public transport. It will bring together experts from government agencies, public transport authorities, vehicle technology suppliers, R&D institutes, academic institutions and private companies to address issues in policy, planning, funding, technology, market development, testing and deployment of CAVs for public transport.

 

Key issues to be explored

• What has been the experience of public transport with AVs?
• AVs complement or replace public transport?
• How can transport authorities effectively plan and launch AV testing?
• What funding sources can be used for AV testing and deployment?
• What are the opportunities and challenges in AV deployment for public transport?
• How can AVs improve urban mobility and the environment?
• What is the government’s plan regarding the adoption of AVs in public transport?
• How can society and the economy benefit from the deployment of AVs?