Making Better Places: autonomous vehicles and future place making

Connected and autonomous vehicles are coming and the transition has already started. Other key trends are moving in parallel, for example those that will enable greater sharing via mobility as a service. In combination, these shifts will affect all users of today’s roads and streetscapes – including freight, pedestrians and cyclists - but it is up to us to guide the transition towards a system of future mobility that has the greatest societal benefit. Left to market forces, we are likely to move towards networks that are somewhat safer and more efficient, but we risk missing a key opportunity to create sustainable long-run revenue streams, fair and affordable future transport options, seamless integration with rail, metro, walking and cycling, and significant place-making benefits. Different types of routes and places will need different future solutions, just as they do today, and the time to think about these is now.