How a rapid modal convergence into a universal automated taxi service could be the future for local passenger transport

Characteristic Analysis of Mixed Traffic Flow of Regular and Autonomous Vehicles Using Cellular Automata

“…Equation (1) formulates the incentive criterion while (2) and (3) address the safety criterion. More precisely, (1) means that current front spacing is not sufficient if the current speed is increased by one level; (2) …”

“…Besides their remarkable capabilities in performing various driving tasks, automated/autonomous vehicles may have the potential to influence the operation of traffic systems in terms of efficiency, safety, and greenness [1][2][3][4][5]. More specifically, autonomous vehicles (AVs) have negligible reaction time delays as compared to regular vehicles (RVs) and are able to run with much less spacing or headway with possibly a broad spectrum of speed.…”

Paratransit: The Need for a Regulatory Revolution in the Light of Institutional Inertia

“…The concept that PRT systems require separate trackways will soon no longer be needed as these vehicles should be able to run on ordinary streets. With the elimination of the cost of both driver and special infrastructure, the economics of small vehicle PRT systems are transformed -driver costs for bus and taxi services typically account for just less than half of operational costs (Enoch, 2015). They thus have the potential to offer a door-to-door 24/7 taxi level of service for the same fare as one would now pay for a bus journey.…”

“…Looking to the future, Enoch (2015) suggests that there are several factors pushing away from the traditional modes of car, bus and taxi and towards increased role for paratransit-type modes. These include:…”

“…In recognising these broader 'market pull' and 'technology push' trends, one future for the current local passenger transport market could see the traditional landscape of bus, car and taxi being replaced, first by a range of paratransit modes, and ultimately, once driverless technology becomes mainstream, by a autonomous taxi-like 'dial-a-pod' systems through a process of 'convergence' (Enoch, 2015). Yet even if this is not the case, the current direction is towards a system where paratransit modes play a far more important role than currently in personal transport.…”