Rethinking the Right-of-Way: Exploring Seattle's Autonomous Future

Abstract

This thesis works to investigate the potential effects autonomous vehicles may have on the built environment. The objective of this thesis is to creatively explore a future scenario in which there has been a total shift in mobility and autonomous vehicles have superseded traditional forms of transportation. In order to do so, this paper will be broken down into three major sections. First, this thesis begins by establishing a clear understanding of autonomous vehicle technology and the potential implications of these vehicles, with special attention being paid to the potential impacts on the built environment. Second, this thesis considers what role design should play in a transition to autonomous mobility. A part of this consideration includes the argument that design and design frameworks need to play a signi cant role in this transition. This section of the research also includes an examination of design frameworks which focus on designing urban spaces for autonomous vehicles, as well as evaluating case studies that have explored varying approaches to designing for the future of autonomous travel. The end result of this research is six right-of-way design proposals using the City of Seattle as a case study. Evidence from the rst two sections of the paper is utilized in order to make research-informed design decisions. These research-based design proposals make an effort to bridge the gap that exists in the literature between those considering the functions and impacts of autonomous vehicles, and those considering the role of design in this transition.