Automated mobility has the potential to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry and provide multiple benefits such as economic growth, safe and environmentally responsible travel, cost and time savings, as well as improved accessibility for seniors and passengers facing mobility challenges.

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 connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). The Third Mobility Package, released in May 2018, includes a communication on connected and automated mobility. It sets out the EC’s agenda on creating a legal framework and providing financial support.

Recognising the need for AV-enabled transit, government agencies and private companies in Europe are collaborating and competing to develop creative approaches for integratingAVs into public transport in a meaningful way. The environment is favourable for research and business to flourish.

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 AVs.

 

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?