Planning Perspectives on Rural Connected, Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Implementation

Abstract

Connected, autonomous and electric vehicles (CAEV) are a powerful combined transport technology looking to disrupt the automotive sector and drive the transition to safe, accessible, clean and sustainable transport systems. The trialling of private, public and shared CAEV technologies is occurring in cities around the world; however, historically isolated and transport-poor rural communities may have the most to gain from CAEV implementation. Despite the accessibility and transport safety needs of rural communities, rural CAEV trials are few in the UK. Therefore, this paper investigates the hypothesis that the lack of rural implementation research and trials means that rural transport planners are ill-informed and uncertain of both the potential of CAEVs and their implementation requirements to meet rural community transport needs. This investigation consists of consultations with UK-based transport planning professionals to establish their perspectives on CAEV technologies and their rural implementation potential. The findings show that 96% of transport planners lack sufficient understanding of CAEV technology and its implementation challenges. However, the findings also highlight a willingness, given the opportunity, for transport planners to engage with CAEV technologies and apply them to specifically rural scenarios.

A Comprehensive Review on Limitations of Autonomous Driving and Its Impact on Accidents and Collisions

“…Another study [119] indicates that AV adoption in rural areas could be impeded by transportation infrastructure.…”

A Rural Transport Implementation Index for Connected, Autonomous and Electric Vehicles

“…CAEVs will be particularly valuable if accompanied by effective planning and infrastructure management, which could include the provision of transport hubs such as interchanges and park and ride facilities [20][21][22]. However, there are numerous barriers to the implementation of CAEVs, including the experimental nature and effectiveness of the technology, high technological costs, lack of real-world testing, the challenges of integration with existing road users, user perceptions and trust and regulatory challenges [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32].…”

“…In addition, CAEVs are predominantly an urban-serving technology [21,29], with the most prominent examples being trialled in major cities. This is despite the fact that it is rural communities that are the most isolated, lack accessibility, are at the most risk of severe traffic accidents and lack digital connectivity [30,31]. Therefore, CAEVs have the potential to address rural social and economic needs and help close the gap between rural and urban communities [21].…”

“…Previous research regarding rural CAEV development found that transport planner knowledge of CAEVs and their digital and physical infrastructure requirements in the UK was limited and, despite interest, there were few resources available for transport planners to effectively explore rural CAEV implementation potential [31]. There is also evidence that, without effective policy and planning, CAEV implementation could cause increased congestion and reduce accessibility [33].…”

“…Therefore, in this paper, the authors reflect on the findings of Walters et al [31] to develop the CAEV Rural Transport Index (CARTI). This paper also assumes the definition of "rural roads" presented in previous related works [30,31].…”