The anticipated arrival of self-driving cars on UK roads may not lead to reduced congestion due to a ‘policy gap’, according to CoMoUK.
The shared transport charity argues that the UK Government should prioritise autonomous vehicles’ potential role in providing shared journeys, and links with public transport.
It cites data from other countries showing almost half of autonomous vehicle mileage being completed with the vehicles empty, which it said if repeated in the UK could see the vehicles “reinvent congestion” rather than solve it, erasing the potential benefits from more efficient driving.
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CoMoUK suggests levies should be considered on single-occupancy robotaxi journeys, and that passengers should be given the option to share trips for reduced fares.
It has also called for autonomous vehicles to be integrated with public transport hubs, connected to active travel options such as shared e-bikes and e-scooters, and to be offered as shared fleets working in the same way as car clubs.
Warning of potential city focus
CoMoUK has also warned that rural communities may be ignored in an autonomous vehicle rollout, due to commercial incentives to prioritise cities. It therefore wants subsidies for operators that offer the vehicles in areas not well served by public transport.
The charity has published a report on the issue which it says draws on its years of research into shared transport.
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Richard Dilks, chief executive at 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.”
Rules on autonomous vehicle deployment in the UK are set out in the Automared Vehicles Act 2024. Autonomous vehicle ride-hailing operations – initially with a supervising safety operator in place behind the wheel – are due to begin in London later this year.