There’s no better time than the present to begin implementing autonomous vehicles (AVs) as part of the solution to many challenging problems that cities face.
Not only is the need greater than ever before, but also this generation’s environmental awareness level and the availability of new technologies make materializing this vision feasible at last.
Here’s how.
As the demand for road mobility increases, congestion and pollution have become major problems for European cities. According to Annelies Develtree, Knowledge Group Manager of Vias Institute, approximately 16,000 trucks and 26,000 vans enter and leave Brussels daily, and those numbers are only expected to increase.
These compounding issues require innovative and unconventional solutions – solutions that citizens are then more open to if they can really make a difference, such as autonomous delivery.
Even though some unknowns still exist and market acceptance will need time, if AVs can prove their safety and demonstrate their benefits, acceptance will swiftly follow.
AVs can now identify the most efficient delivery routes, troubleshoot mobility issues, and maintain safety even with minimal human supervision.
Automation isn’t just about self-driving, but it’s now about taking a leap away from pollution and congestion while actually increasing productivity.
Various Belgian road safety and knowledge groups are collaborating toward a carbon-neutral society by 2050, and electric AVs will contribute massively to successfully reaching this goal.
Current AV technology is becoming available that will allow for smoother implementation of AVs on roadways and maintenance when needed.
