This master’s study investigates the environmental impacts of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on urban sustainability focusing on emissions, energy consumption, and urban planning. Amid growing concerns about climate change and the need for sustainable urban development, this research aims to answer a crucial question: Will autonomous vehicles serve as a catalyst for environmental sustainability or exacerbate ecological challenges?
A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify, select, and summarize relevant studies which led to the inclusion of forty-two relevant papers published between 2015 – 2024. The results reveal AVs can substantially reduce emissions through enhanced traffic efficiency and operational strategies, with emission reductions ranging from 4.7% to 59%. Additionally, shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) and autonomous taxi fleets offer considerable potential for reducing the number of vehicles and associated emissions, potentially achieving reductions of up to 94%.
Conversely, mixed traffic environments and varying penetration rates of AVs demonstrate complex
dynamics, sometimes resulting in increased emissions due to heightened demand and acceleration patterns. The study also explores the broader urban impacts of AVs, revealing potential for both dispersed urban development and increased urban density. Policy measures encouraging the use of SAVs are essential for managing parking demand and optimizing urban mobility. While AVs hold promise for enhancing urban mobility and sustainability, careful planning and consideration is crucial to fully realize their potential.
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This master thesis from Vrije Universiteit Brussel was supported by PAVE Europe.
