Authors: Tyler Olsen, Kailey Laidlaw, & Matthias Sweet

Cars are becoming more automated over time and already include lane-assist technologies and cruise control. These changes may lead to fully-autonomous vehicles (AVs) which require no human control over safety critical functions.

With no need for a human driver, how will transportation system users respond and what are the implications for policy?

Are consumers likely to purchase privately-owned AVs to replace conventional vehicles?

Or are consumers likely to use on-demand (like Uber or Lyft) transportation services provided by a fleet of fully autonomous vehicles (shared AVs)?

How should the public sector respond?

Reports from a study conducted by TransForm and funded by both the

City of Toronto and

Metrolinx are available which address these questions.

Forecasting the Outlook for AVs in the GTHA

AVs in the GTHA: Survey Summary and Conclusion (Part A)

AVs in the GTHA: Data Overview (Part B)

AVs in the GTHA: Survey Instrument (Part C)

Driverless Cars in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area: Focus Group Findings

Authors: Leah Birnbaum. Elyse Comeau, Tyler Olsen, and Matthias Sweet

Leah Birnbaum Consulting and

TransForm release findings from focus groups on consumer interest in driverless cars and consumer expectations of planners and policymakers to prepare for this potential technological change. Findings indicate that consumers are still learning about driverless cars and are eager to learn more, but they expect planners and policymakers to play an active role in managing and regulating the production, adoption, and use of this technology