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Assessing the Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles on Urban Sprawl

Author

Listed:
  • Leon Booth

    (The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

  • Charles Karl

    (Department of Transport Futures, National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), Port Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia)

  • Victoria Farrar

    (The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

  • Simone Pettigrew

    (The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia)

Abstract

Background: Urban sprawl adversely effects the sustainability of urban environments by promoting private vehicle use, decreasing the viability of active/public transport, and increasing the cost of public service provision. Autonomous vehicles could change the desirability of different residential locations due to resulting changes to urban design and decreased value of travel time. Methods: Adult Australians (n = 1078) completed an online survey that included a description of a future where autonomous vehicles are widely available. The respondents reported anticipated changes in residential location in this autonomous future. Frequency analyses were conducted, and three logistic generalised linear models were run to identify factors associated with staying in the same area or moving to higher- or lower-density locations. Results: Autonomous vehicles are likely to have mixed effects on people’s desired residential locations. Most respondents (84%) elected not to move location, 11% intended to move to lower-density locations, and 6% to higher density locations. Reasons for moving included a desire for more space, the ease of travelling in urban areas, and the reduced value of travel time. Conclusion: The introduction of autonomous vehicles will need to be managed to avoid fostering increased urban sprawl and the associated negative consequences. Strategies that increase the liveability of higher density urban environments are likely to discourage urban sprawl in a future characterised by autonomous transport options.

Suggested Citation

  • Leon Booth & Charles Karl & Victoria Farrar & Simone Pettigrew, 2024. "Assessing the Impacts of Autonomous Vehicles on Urban Sprawl," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5551-:d:1425014
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bev Wilson & Arnab Chakraborty, 2013. "The Environmental Impacts of Sprawl: Emergent Themes from the Past Decade of Planning Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(8), pages 1-26, August.
    2. Leon Booth & Victoria Farrar & Jason Thompson & Rajith Vidanaarachchi & Branislava Godic & Julie Brown & Charles Karl & Simone Pettigrew, 2023. "Anticipated Transport Choices in a World Featuring Autonomous Transport Options," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-10, July.
    3. Mouhcine Guettabi & Abdul Munasib, 2014. "Urban Sprawl, Obesogenic Environment, And Child Weight," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(3), pages 378-401, June.
    4. Larson, William & Zhao, Weihua, 2020. "Self-driving cars and the city: Effects on sprawl, energy consumption, and housing affordability," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    5. Patrick Schirmer & Michael van Eggermond & Kay Axhausen, 2014. "The role of location in residential location choice models: a review of literature," The Journal of Transport and Land Use, Center for Transportation Studies, University of Minnesota, vol. 7(2), pages 3-21.
    6. Fábio Duarte & Carlo Ratti, 2018. "The Impact of Autonomous Vehicles on Cities: A Review," Journal of Urban Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 3-18, October.
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