Unsettled Topics Concerning Autonomous Public Transportation Systems

With the launch of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenges in 2004 and 2005, autonomous driving technology has been slowly making its way toward commercialization. Billions of dollars have been invested in the development of the core technology and potential use models. While the technology required for a fully functional automated vehicle (AV) is quite a few years away from reality, specific restricted-use models such as robo-taxis, truck convoying, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) show great promise. Another use model, which also shows a great deal of potential, is the use of AV technology for public transportation.

Technologically, public transportation shuttles are an ideal potential application as they operate at low speeds on fixed routes. From a business point of view, there is already an existing public transit business model, and there are potential opportunities for providing superior quality of service for disadvantaged communities. However, most of the utility is typically found in dense urban environments, which can present unique challenges. Further, the operators of public transportation perform within a public sector regime, which has additional requirements. Thus, it is quite instructive to look at the divergent experiences of leading cities as they engage with AV technology for their specific purposes. In this SAE EDGE Research Report, we will examine the still unsettled topics and generic solutions for the public transportation market and the unique AV deployment schemas for the cities of Jacksonville, Florida; Singapore; Tallinn, Estonia; and finally Orlando/Lake Nona, Florida.

NOTE: SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are intended to identify and illuminate key issues in emerging, but still unsettled, technologies of interest to the mobility industry. The goal of SAE EDGE™ Research Reports is to stimulate discussion and work in the hope of promoting and speeding resolution of identified issues. SAE EDGE™ Research Reports are not intended to resolve the challenges they identify or close any topic to further scrutiny.