Policy considerations for the safe and equitable integration of Connected and Automated Vehicles

Laura Martínez-Buelvas; Andry Rakotonirainy; Deanna Grant-Smith; Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios

doi:10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101631

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Policy considerations for the safe and equitable integration of Connected and Automated Vehicles

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Policy considerations for the safe and equitable integration of Connected and Automated Vehicles

Laura Martínez-Buelvas, Andry Rakotonirainy, Deanna Grant-Smith and Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios

Case Studies on Transport Policy, Vol.22, pp.1-13

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101631

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Abstract

Transportation, logistics and supply chains

Research, science and technology policy

Road safety

Connected and Automated Vehicles

Transport policy

Governance

Safety

Justice

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) offer significant potential to enhance the transport system; however, their implementation faces numerous barriers, including safety risks, ethical dilemmas, equitable road use, and challenges surrounding technology reliability, privacy, and environmental impact. Addressing these concerns is crucial to unlocking the benefits of this technology, particularly in promoting safe and just interactions with vulnerable road users (VRUs). This study consulted fifteen key informants from academic, policy, and operational sectors globally to identify policies that would ensure responsible deployment. Through reflexive thematic analysis, seven key policy themes emerged: implementing regulation and standards; enhancing infrastructure and traffic management for effective integration; integrating with public transport; promoting value-driven approaches to policymaking; enhancing road safety; promoting shared responsibility between automated systems and VRUs; and building public trust and acceptance. Participants highlighted the importance of conservative safety designs for CAVs, advanced infrastructure for VRU-heavy areas, the implementation of reliable sensor technology, and national standards for effective traffic management. Additionally, human-centric design, particularly accessibility for people with disabilities, was reinforced. To facilitate safe and just adoption of this technology, we propose policy recommendations that governments should implement to improve interactions between CAVs and VRUs. These are framed around four key policy levers: regulation, provisions, economic incentives, and exhortation. Each lever offers distinct policy approaches that guide the sustainable development of the technology, ensuring alignment with justice and safety outcomes. Future research should prioritise understanding public perspectives and optimising automated–VRU interactions to support a more equitable transport system.

Details

Title: Policy considerations for the safe and equitable integration of Connected and Automated Vehicles
Authors: Laura Martínez-Buelvas (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Andry Rakotonirainy (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Deanna Grant-Smith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios (Author) - Delft University of Technology
Publication details: Case Studies on Transport Policy, Vol.22, pp.1-13
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101631
ISSN: 2213-624X
Copyright note: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of World Conference on Transport Research Society. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Grant note: This research was funded by iMOVE CRC and supported by the Cooperative Research Centres program, an Australian Government initiative [Project code: 5–006].
Organisation Unit: School of Business and Creative Industries
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991173845202621
Output Type: Journal article

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