Autonomous vehicle technology is being tested and piloted on public streets today. Much of the discourse has focused on vehicle design and technology, but autonomous vehicles have important implications for the design of cities and the operation of transit service. Nelson\Nygaard and Perkins+Will believe we must put people first in prioritizing street space.

Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Transit focuses on the risks and opportunities presented by emerging mobility service models, including the particular advantages of dedicated right-of-way for high-capacity vehicles. Transit is the best tool to increase the capacity of urban roadways, and accommodate future growth in demand for mobility. In addition to providing the most up-to-date research, we go over the lessons learned from application of these ideas to real-world conditions in Everett, MA, and Santa Monica, CA. We also offer five actions that cities and transit agencies can take today to guide decision-making and position themselves for success.

Read the report here: Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Transit