Implications for Interactions between Micromobility and Autonomous Vehicles

Abstract

This article discusses the potential interactions and impacts between autonomous vehicles (AVs) and micromobility users. While fully automated privately owned AVs are not yet commercially available to the public, AVs such as robotaxis, shuttles, and delivery bots are becoming increasingly common, especially in densely populated urban areas. At the same time, new types of micromobility devices, such as e-scooters, are being introduced into the transportation infrastructure, often in the same areas. While extensive research and safety testing are standard in both domains, the potential interactions between these two types of mobility in real-world environments require consideration. By exploring the current state of both technologies and the early evidence currently available, we catalog potential implications of their interactions, particularly with respect to communication, expectations, infrastructure, risky behavior, and the impact of data limitations. Avenues for future research in safety, communication, and human behavior are discussed.