Examining the myths of connected and autonomous vehicles: analysing the pathway to a driverless mobility paradigm. (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nikitas, Alexandros; Njoya, Eric Tchouamou; Dani, Samir
• Is Part Of: International journal of automotive technology and management. Volume 19:Number 1/2(2019)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: connected and autonomous vehicles -- CAVs -- driverless and self-driving technologies -- artificial intelligence and mobility -- smart urban futures -- transport policy and planning; Automobile industry and trade -- Management -- Periodicals; 338.456292068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-9511

Abstract

Connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) could become the most powerful mobility intervention in the history of human race; possibly greater than the conception of the wheel itself or the shift from horse-carriages to automobiles. Despite CAVs' likely traffic safety, economic, environmental, social inclusion and network performance benefits their full-scale implementation may not be as predictable, uncomplicated, acceptable and risk-free as it is often communicated by a large share of automotive industries, policy-makers and transport experts. Framing an 'unproven', 'disruptive' and 'life-changing' intervention, primarily based on its competitive advantages over today's conventional automobile technologies, may create misconceptions, overreaching expectations and room for errors that societies need to be cautious about. This article 'tests' eleven myths referring to an overly optimistic CAVs' development and adoption timeline. This approach highlights unresolved issues that need to be addressed before an inescapable CAV-based mobility paradigm transition takes place and provides relevant policy recommendations on how to achieve that.