Organizers
Dr. Richard Mudge, President, Compass Transportation and Technology
Dr. Alain Kornhauser, Professor and Director of Transportation Program, Princeton University
Dr. Steven Polzin, Senior Advisor for Research and Technology, US DOT
Dr. Sven Beiker, Managing Director, Silicon Valley Mobility
Session Description
The Shark Tank format stimulates active debate on topics with important implications for the future of autonomous vehicles. Topics cover policy, planning, regulations, economics, and of course technology. The sharks highlight issues that may have been overlooked or that would benefit from a frank debate. All modes are covered.
Formal speeches are kept to a minimum. A group of commentators (the sharks) ask provocative questions and may engage in debate among themselves as well as with the presenter and the audience. Ample time is allowed for comments and questions from the audience. A sense of humor is encouraged.
Goals/Objectives/Outputs
Considerable controversy exists regarding how AVs will affect society – and whether or not these impacts are positive or negative. Even when no consensus can be found, we expect that an active debate will provide useful insights regarding four issues. Past history shows the debate can be intriguing and often humorous in tone.
- Land use impact, with an emphasis on the battle between city center and suburbs;
- Are AVs resilient? Will they help or hinder our response to natural disasters?
- Does competition from AVs make high-speed rail an unattractive option?
- Will AVs make it easier to implement congestion pricing and mileage-based user fees?
Agenda
Sharks – debate leaders
- Dr. Alain Kornhauser, Princeton University
- Brad Templeton, Singularity University
- Sharon Feigon, Executive Director, Shared-Use Mobility Center
- Avery Ash, Inrix
- Dr. Richard Mudge, Compass Transportation and Technology
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM Land Use: Can both center cities and suburbs win?
There is an active and often emotional debate regarding how AVs might affect urban land use. Will center cities benefit since residents will not need to own cars, freeing the use of parking for other uses – or will the ability to multi-task in vehilces encourage longer commutes to suburbs? Or will both outcomes occur? What policies might help encourage one or the other outcome?
- Sharon Feigon, Executive Director, Shared-Use Mobility Center
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Are AVs resilient? Do they help or hinder the response to natural disasters?
AVs are likely to be shared vehicles. How will this affect responses to natural disasters? Who has first call on nearby AVs? Who will be left behind? Are there ways to take advantage of a mobile fleet during a disaster?
- Dr. Steven Polzin, Senior Advisor for Research and Technology, US DOT
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Break
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM Will AVs save lives or will they be too little too late?
New cars come equipped with a growing range of sensors and new technologies. These include automatic braking, lane tracking, adaptive cruise control etc. While theses tools are not yet consistent and we lack data regarding safety impacts, they will be deployed much sooner than level 4 and level 5 automated technologies. Will the safety gains from these technologies outpace potential benefits from autonomous vehicles?
- Jack Weast, Sr. Principal Engineer at Intel and Vice President of Automated Vehicle Standards at Mobileye
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM Do AVs mean the end of high-speed rail (and short-haul aviation)?
AVs will be used for intercity travel. Indeed, some propose dedicated AV lanes for intercity travel. What impact might this have on existing (or planned) intercity modes? Will point-to-point service possible with AVs take market share away from short-haul aviation and high-speed rail? How about the curb-side bus market? What are some of the financial, investment, and environmental implications?
- Baruch Feigenbaum, Reason Foundation