The Real Case for Driverless Mobility

Putting Driverless Vehicles to Use for Those Who Really Need a Ride

1st Edition - January 24, 2024
Imprint: Elsevier
Authors: Alain L. Kornhauser, Michael L. Sena
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 3 6 8 5 - 3
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 3 6 8 6 - 0

The Real Case for Driverless Mobility: Putting Driverless Vehicles to Use for Those Who Really Need a Ride explores solutions for providing mobility for the unserved/… Read more

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The Real Case for Driverless Mobility: Putting Driverless Vehicles to Use for Those Who Really Need a Ride explores solutions for providing mobility for the unserved/underserved, including those who cannot drive themselves, afford transport alternatives, or who live in areas where neither public nor private transport is offered. The book synthesizes the career-long activities of the authors and the Princeton SmartDrivingCars Summits and assesses whether cars without drivers can deliver an affordable and more effective alternative to mass transit and taxis.

A high percentage of the residents in many U.S. cities are poor, and the jobs that remain are often not easily reached by public transit systems which struggle to deliver a minimum level of service with their limited budgets. The SDC Summits were initiated in 2017 by Alain Kornhauser to attempt to address this problem. This book presents the problem and the proposed solution in a form that can be used by a wide audience and help build a constituency, both for the proof of concept and for an eventual implementation in many cities and towns in North America and other parts of the world.

Professionals, investors, researchers and students alike will find this book a valuable exploration of how driverless technology can be applied to personal transport that can be used by a large sub-group of the population who are not currently served by automobile transport and are poorly served by public transport solutions.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Why we have become dependent on cars
Abstract
Introduction: The historical context for our proposal
Principles: Understanding initial conditions
Current conditions: Private cars were the last straw for sprawl, not the first
Future predictions: Once jobs, services, and people are everywhere, transit cannot help
Summary: How we will go about showing driverless rides can work
References
Chapter 2 Mobility is not affordable for everyone
Abstract
Introduction: Current transport options are not good enough
Current conditions: Externalities of a car-based mobility solution
Future Predictions: Creating a greater good
Summary: Match the price with the cost
References
Chapter 3 Is driverless technology ready for the challenge?
Abstract
Introduction: If we are counting on them for a ride, they have to work
Principles: Investments keep pouring in
Current applications: Top-down or bottom-up
Future predictions: From safe to driverless driving
References
Chapter 4 Where driverless cars can roam
Abstract
Introduction: The operational design domain concept
Principles: Is there a taxonomy for grouping ODDs, or are they unique?
Current conditions: Deep-, surface-, temporal- and infra-structure
Future predictions: What is really safe enough?
Summary: Consult the genius of the place
References
Chapter 5 The role of automotive artificial intelligence
Abstract
Introduction: AI has a role, but it must be limited
Principles: But first, what AI is, and what AI is not
Current conditions: How automotive AI is being used today
Future predictions: Putting the wrappings on the automotive AI package
Summary: Where we are with Automotive AI
Chapter 6 The business proposition of affordable mobility
Abstract
Introduction: Producing vehicles that can deliver an affordable ride
Principles: The first market for driverless cars
Current conditions: Context, requirements and user trajectories
Future predictions: Mobility for those who are underserved by current options is a totally new market
Summary: Putting driverless cars into the market
References
Chapter 7 The making and operating of driverless vehicles
Abstract
Introduction: A sea change or an evolution of the automotive status quo
Principles: A new product or a new industry
Current conditions: Selling and servicing driverless vehicles
Future predictions: Operating driverless cars services
Summary: All that’s missing is the will
References
Chapter 8 Powering driverless vehicles
Abstract
Introduction: BEVs are the only option—For now
Principles: Energy sources are the critical factors
Current conditions: From solid ICE proponents to unabashed BEV supporters
Future predictions: Geopolitical ramifications of picking a winner
Summary: It’s not over until it’s over
References
Chapter 9 The role of policymaking
Abstract
Introduction: Individualist or collectivist
Principles: Predicting the future or enabling innovation
Current conditions
Future predictions: It’s time to standardize the standards
Summary: Making policies for affordable mobility
References
Chapter 10 Making it happen
Abstract
Introduction: Design and analysis of deployment scenarios
Principles: Modeling the demand side
Current conditions: Modeling the supply side
Future predictions: Trenton MOVES
Principles: Initial service design
Summary: Expect the unexpected
Special note
References
References
Index

Alain L. Kornhauser

Alain L. Kornhauser is Professor of Operations Research and Financial Engineering and Director of the Transportation Program at Princeton University, as well as Faculty Advisor to Princeton Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (PAVE). A major portion of his professional and research focus has been centered on automated mobility systems. Starting with Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) in 1971 through to his current focus on what he terms Smart Driving Cars, his contributions have been many to both the details of the technology and its broader societal implications. He has also contributed to better understanding of the broader societal implications of the technology to the mobility disadvantaged. He led the Princeton team in the 2005 DARPA Challenge and the 2007 Urban Challenge and has been the recipient of numerous awards.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Operations Research and Financial Engineering and Director of Transportation Program, Princeton University; Faculty Advisor to Princeton Autonomous Vehicle Engineering (PAVE), USA

Michael L. Sena

Michael L. Sena is an internationally recognised expert in automated and connected vehicles, digital map databases, location-based services and navigation. He has owned and run a successful consulting practice since 1983, Michael L. Sena Consulting AB, with clients in Europe, North America and Asia in the automotive, software and systems development, and location-based services database industries. From registered architect and urban planner, to developer of the first printed maps using digital data, to location-based services and navigation, Michael has had a full career in shaping both the built environment and the way we move in it. He was a founding member of the ADASIS Forum and has served on ISO and CEN standardization committees. He is the author of Beating Traffic: Time to Get Unstuck (2007), combining his experience with the dynamics of transportation and his background in urban planning and design

Affiliations and expertise

Michael L. Sena Consulting AB, Sweden

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