Driverless vehicles need direction from government
A new report has urged the government to set out a clearer vision for driverless vehicles or risk missing out on their benefits.
CoMoUK, a national charity to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of shared transport, has highlighted the potential of autonomous vehicles to be a force for positive change.
However, it said the benefits could be lost due to a ‘glaring policy gap’ in the government’s approach to their introduction.
It has now called on the government to provide a clear path to integrate the technology with public transport hubs.
The report makes a series of recommendations, including ensuring that robotaxis give passengers the option of sharing with others for reduced fares. It revealed that almost half of total autonomous mileage in other markets is with an empty vehicle, and if this is repeated in the UK it will exacerbate congestion rather than improve it.
Major benefits
Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “Our research shows that automated vehicles could bring major benefits to the UK, but only if we have the policies in place to take advantage of their arrival.
“Without a guiding vision from government, there could be serious unintended consequences for both the transport system and the environment.
“Self-driving vehicles can absolutely make our roads safer and significantly cut carbon emissions, but driverless must not be allowed to mean directionless. Leaving deployment entirely to market forces means private operators will prioritise high-profit urban services that compete directly with buses, trains, and active travel.
“To prevent a future of empty robotaxis flooding our streets and worsening traffic congestion, the UK government must set out clear policy interventions now.”
