Preparing for an Autonomous Future: Transportation Planning for Autonomous Vehicles in the Puget Sound Region

Abstract

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are already on the road in test scenarios in multiple cities. This technology will result in dramatic changes for existing transportation systems and land use patterns, disrupting today’s planning practices. This study uses existing research about predicted implications of autonomous vehicles to build a criteria for evaluating existing comprehensive plans and transportation plans for municipalities in the Puget Sound Region. The results of this plan evaluation were then used to create interview questions for planners and policymakers to explore why plans do or do not take AVs and technology change into account. The results of this study demonstrate that most municipal planning documents do not mention or include thorough discussion of autonomous vehicles and their effects, and that public officials face significant uncertainties in how to best plan for autonomous vehicles despite being aware of the changes taking place and their potential impacts.