Autonomous Vehicles - Stress Test for the Urban Traffic Infrastructure?

The article delves into the potential stress that autonomous vehicles (AVs) could place on urban traffic infrastructure. It begins by discussing the expected slow adoption of AVs, with a mix of conventional and autonomous cars likely to coexist until late in the 21st century. Research indicates that AVs will initially drive cautiously, leading to longer distances between vehicles and strict adherence to speed limits. This cautious behavior could exacerbate existing traffic issues, with a simulation in Cologne's university district showing an 80% increase in stops and a 29% increase in traffic jam time when AVs make up half of the traffic. As AVs become more common, they are expected to form efficient platoons, but this transition period will require cities to develop new connectivity solutions, such as smart intersections and traffic lights, to mitigate infrastructure strain. The article also highlights the importance of integrating AVs into a collective mobility system, noting that autonomous shared services could reduce the number of vehicles on the road to just 7%. By understanding and addressing these challenges, cities can harness the full potential of AVs for sustainable mobility.