Market forecasts suggest that ownership of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and driverless functionalities will increase in the coming decades.
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AVs promise significant benefits for urban life, including a reduction in accidents and injuries through Level 3 or higher (L3+) automation. This enables regulated speed limits and built-in safety systems such as automatic braking, collision avoidance, and lane assistance.
Systems like geofencing technology could enforce speed and access restrictions in cities, limiting vehicle access based on height, weight, and emissions. L3+ automation also provides economic (lower costs, reduced wear and tear, lower fuel consumption), societal (land-use efficiency), and environmental (reduced air and noise pollution) advantages, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Stavanger’s autonomous bus project represents a step toward smart urban mobility, offering safer and more efficient transportation. However, my recent research highlights potential resistance and criminal adaptation in response to AV implementation. While much attention has been given to cyber vulnerabilities, little consideration has been given to how ordinary individuals—not just sophisticated hackers—might find simple ways to bypass mandatory speed limits, restriction zones, and toll charges using basic digital tools.
Potential areas of resistance include:
- Mandatory speed limits that extend travel time.
- Restricted zones that limit access and convenience.
- Increased use of toll charges.
Although not all of these factors apply to Stavanger’s autonomous bus, they provide insights into future challenges in AV adoption. The bus operates at reduced speed due to the complex urban environment—navigating traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and mixed traffic conditions. Could similar factors lead to lower speeds and longer travel times for private AV users in city centers?
Additionally, will AV drivers pay extra tolls for infrastructure that allows them to relax during their commutes? Reports of drivers using GPS jammers to avoid toll charges raise questions about potential resistance to widespread AV regulation. If similar systems are introduced in urban areas, how will private users or public transport passengers respond? These considerations are often overlooked in discussions about AVs' future.
The key to ensuring a positive future for AVs—maximizing benefits while minimizing resistance—is transparency and participation from both residents and businesses.