Autonomous Vehicles: Boston’s approach

Kris Carter, Co-Chair

Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics

AltWheels 10.2.17

Boston Context: Two sides of a coin

GoBoston 2030 Goals

One potential solution

22 4,548

Boston

Motivation: Safety

Source: 2016 Boston Vision Zero

Motivation: More Reliable Trips

Many neighborhoods are outside 5

and 10 minute walk sheds along

transit corridors.

Average commute is 29 minutes

24% of Mattapan residents have

a commute over 60 minutes

Motivation: Ensuring Equity & Access

Source: Boston Globe

Motivation: Systems that can work in Boston

Source: MBTA Snow Map,

Sara Morrison

If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu

“...that our expected preferred deployment will be fleets

of autonomous vehicles that are electric and

shared...ensure equitable access to opportunity for

those least well served by transportation options today,

including seniors, youth, and those with physical

disabilities.”

What We Are Doing

Started Testing

Formed

Research

Partnershi

ps

Set Policy Priorities

World Economic Forum: Lessons From Boston

Coordination

between City

& State is

Critical

Work with

Multiple Private-

Sector Leaders

Socialize

Innovative Ideas

Early

Adopt an

Agile Approach

Five Areas of Research

1 AV Testing

2 Business Models

3 Street Design

4 Workforce

5 Governance & Financing

AV Testing

Off-site testing

100 miles, Marine Industrial Park,

day time only,

good weather

100 miles, Marine Industrial Park,

day and night time,

mixed weather

200 miles, South Boston

Waterfront, day time only,

good weather

200 miles in South Boston

Waterfront, day and night,

mixed weather

400 miles in City of Boston ,

day time only,

good weather

City of Boston

day and night time,

mixed weather

Testing Sites Testing Phases

A

B

1

B

2

C

1

C

2

D

1

D

2Testing permitted on City Roadways

South Boston

Waterfront

AV Testing

Polaris GEM e4 and e6 Audi Q5Renault Zoe

200 miles in South Boston

Waterfront, day and night,

mixed weather, with passengers

C

3Off-site testingA

100 miles, Marine Industrial Park,

day time only,

good weatherB

source: World Economic Forum; BCG analysis, August 2016

Business models: paradigm shifting is hard

44% of people said the number one reason for having a self-driving car is to not have to park.

AV Business Models: Simulation

AV Business Models: Simulation Results

Private AVs AV Shuttles

Individual Benefit

(Reduction in Travel Time)

Neighborhood Benefit

(Freed Up Street Space)

Environmental Benefit

(Reduction in CO2 Emissions)

11% 30%

16% 48%

42% 66%

Source: NPR News | 2014 Census data

Workforce + Pathways

Governance & Financing

Transportation Related Revenue in Boston:

$58M in Vehicle Excise Tax (FY18)

$61.3M in Parking Fines (FY18)

$16M in Parking Meter Fees (FY18)

$135M needs to come from somewhere else

Thank you

@Kris_W_Carter

[email protected]

Boston.gov/Boston-av