Automated vehicle technology is advancing rapidly. Regulatory frameworks, however, have not kept pace with the implications for pedestrians and the quality of urban life. With the support of the Modus Foundation, Pedestrian Mobility Switzerland (Fussverkehr) and the International Federation of Pedestrians (IFP) undertook a one-year project (July 2024 – June 2025) to examine public opinion, professional perspectives, and policy implications concerning automated vehicles and walkability.
The project findings (2025) revealed several key policy and planning implications for walkability in a future with automated vehicles:
- Public familiarity contributes to optimism toward automated vehicle technology – Respondents with more experience or exposure to automated vehicle technology tend to be more optimistic about its societal impacts. However, as serious and fatal crashes involving automated vehicles have shown, public opinion can change fast. Safety must be the highest priority.
- Expectations for traffic safety and mobility improvements – There are expectations for automated vehicles to enhance overall traffic safety and mobility. Policies and regulations at all levels must prioritize safety and mobility in the design, deployment, and regulations applied to automated vehicles, their use, and the environments in which they are deployed. This includes:
- Managing speeds – Speed limits should be reduced to 30KMH on roads with pedestrian access to reduce the number of crashes and crash severity. In certain contexts, such as in school zones or residential areas, speed limits lower than 30KMH may be appropriate.
- Accessible mobility – Barrier-free access should be provided to people living with disabilities. Improved transport options in rural areas should be prioritized.
- Expectations for enhanced walkability – There are expectations to be able to walk and cross the street like is done today or more easily. Survey respondents also expect improved safety. To prepare for a future with automated vehicles, government bodies responsible for infrastructure and transportation should prioritize pedestrian-friendly design.
- Expanded use of public transport and shared vehicles – While survey respondents believe that traffic congestion will stay the same or increase (worsen) because of automated vehicle technology, they also show a willingness to adopted shared automated vehicles instead of privately owning vehicles, highlighting an opportunity to reshape mobility. Policies should support the success, and maximize the efficiency of public transport and the deployment of shared vehicles, which would minimize dependency on private vehicle use that could otherwise increase traffic congestion and urban sprawl.
