Long-term implications of autonomous vehicles: understanding travel demand impacts and implications for transportation planning in Japan

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K13854
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 22050:Civil engineering plan and transportation engineering-related
• Research Institution: Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: Abe Ryosuke 一般財団法人運輸総合研究所(学術研究チーム), その他部局等, 研究員 (80817487)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 自動運転 / モビリティサービス / 交通計画 / 公共交通 / 都市交通

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to understand the impacts of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on travel behavior and demand, and to obtain suggestions for transportation planning in Japan. In particular, it focused on the impacts of AVs on public transportation. Specifically, regarding the introduction of AVs in the field of buses and taxis, this study quantified the expected benefit, summarized the issues for realization, and analyzed user perception of the monitoring method and safety. Furthermore, as an application of AVs, it analyzed user preferences for last-mile AV services to rail stations, as well as their impacts on accessibility and rail demand in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Free Research Field

交通計画，土木計画学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，自動運転車が公共交通分野に与える影響について，サービス提供面と利用者面からの分析や都市交通への広域的な影響の分析を含め，一連の分析を行った．自動運転車の活用に関連した研究は世界的に増え続けている中，自動運転車の公共交通分野への示唆に焦点をあてた議論はまだ少ない．本研究の実務面への貢献として，自動運転サービスに対する利用者ニーズの理解や需要推計手法の開発に資する研究であること，また，自動運転サービスの活用方策の検討に資する研究であることなどが挙げられる．