An Analysis of Possible Energy Impacts of Automated Vehicles
Automated vehicles (AVs) are increasingly recognized as having the potential to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and petroleum consumption through mechanisms such as improved efficiency, better routing, and lower traffic congestion, and by enabling advanced technologies (such as greater vehicle electrification). However, some impacts of AVs have the potential to increase fuel consumption through possible effects such as longer distances traveled, increased use of transportation by underserved groups, and increased travel speeds. The net effect on greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use is still uncertain. Here the authors make initial estimates of the range of energy impacts possible due to widespread adoption of AVs. To do this, the authors collect available estimates for the energy impacts of ten potential effects of AVs. The authors then use a modified Kaya Identity approach to estimate the overall range of possible effects. Depending on the specific effects that come to pass, there is a wide range of potential energy outcome scenarios. Therefore, widespread AV deployment can lead to dramatic fuel savings, but has the potential for unintended consequences.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC70 Transportation Energy. Alternate title: Analysis of Possible Energy Impacts of Automated Vehicles.
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Corporate Authors:
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20001 -
Authors:
- Brown, Austin
- Gonder, Jeffrey
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC
- Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
- Date: 2014
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 21p
- Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Environmental impacts; Evaluation and assessment; Fuel consumption; Greenhouse gases; Intelligent vehicles; Pollutants; Technological innovations
- Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01506332
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 14-5077
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Feb 3 2014 9:17AM