Summary

As automated vehicle (AV) technology continues to rapidly advance and AVs move toward full automation, policy and planning responses are needed from all levels of government.

The City of Toronto has been actively preparing for the coming of AVs, by forming an interdivisional working group, monitoring changes in technology, policy and public perceptions of AVs, and developing a draft “Tactical Plan 2019-2021” to determine how the introduction of automated vehicles will align with the City’s established priorities and official policies.

Working in collaboration with the City of Toronto, this primer on automated vehicles was created by graduate students at the School and Urban and Regional Planning to support stakeholder engagement workshops held by the City to receive feedback on the draft Tactical Plan. The primer provides a brief overview of AV technology, illustrates potential applications and areas of disruption, and highlights key issues to consider about a future with highly automated vehicles.