Preparing Transit in the Advent of Automated Vehicles: A Focus-group Study in the Twin Cities

The proliferation of automated vehicles (AVs) will bring substantial changes to the transport system. This study illustrates planners’ understanding of the potential impacts of AVs on transit and social equity. A focus group discussion of planners from governments and transit agencies in the Twin Cities shows that AVs may bring both challenges and opportunities to the transit system. Policymakers need to take actions (such as securing funding sources, developing automated transit, using AVs for flexible services) to ensure the quality of transit service and regulate unoccupied AVs. However, social equity has yet to become a centerpiece in planners’ discussion.