Environmental Impact Assessment: Automated Minibuses for Public Transport

Abstract

This chapter examines the environmental impacts of integrating automated minibuses into public transport systems, focusing on the trade-offs between energy savings and increased energy demand due to connectivity and automation features. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to analyse the potential environmental benefits and problems of automated minibuses. The results show that the environmental benefits of these vehicles depend significantly on the electricity mix for charging, passenger occupancy, and vehicle utilisation throughout their lifetime. In particular, scenarios with renewable energy sources, high passenger occupancy, and optimal vehicle utilisation show the significant potential of automated minibuses to contribute to a more sustainable transport system. This study highlights the importance of holistic considerations, including technological, operational, and infrastructural factors, in maximising the environmental benefits of automated minibuses in urban mobility. It provides a nuanced understanding of the conditions under which automated minibuses can act as a catalyst for the transition to greener public transport.