The economic impact of information technology on energy and autonomous transportation systems

Autonomous transportation presents significant potential to enhance road efficiency, reduce traffic accidents, increase productivity, and minimize environmental impact. However, its adoption has faced resistance from various groups citing concerns about safety, cybersecurity risks, job displacement, and potential increases in environmental pollution due to the convenience of self-driving vehicles (SDVs). To fully realize the benefits of SDVs while mitigating these challenges, it is essential to proactively identify future obstacles and take strategic actions now to address them.
This paper employs a policy scenario methodology to construct a likely future for the year 2025, examining the implications of current trajectories in autonomous transportation. The purpose of this foresight analysis is to articulate the challenges we face today and project how they may evolve over the next six years. It highlights the key facilitators and inhibitors of change, as well as the economic impacts of autonomous transportation systems.
Specifically, the paper addresses critical issues such as autonomy, privacy, liability, cybersecurity, data protection, and safety, providing a comprehensive synthesis of the potential outcomes associated with SDV adoption. It will also offer actionable steps that policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders can take to avoid these pitfalls while ensuring that society fully benefits from the advantages of autonomous transportation.