Automated mobility on demand – a transportation concept for Vienna ́s metropolitan area

Abstract

In this paper, the impact of intermodal mobility on our current mobility behaviour is analysed. To be more specific, this research will evaluate the effects of an autonomous mobility on demand (AMoD) service with electric vehicles, and whether it would help to decrease overall congestion and emissions by internal combustion vehicles.At first, the current mobility behaviour of the observed region is analysed together with the demand pattern to understand how a future mobility concept would need to be designed and what requirements it should serve. Adding on, the concept of ride sharing, intermodal mobility, as well as the technological aspects of autonomous vehicles and battery-electric-vehicles are explained to give a better understanding of the underlying principles. Furthermore, the literature review will give an outline of the already existing research regarding this topic. This will demonstrate that there is already some research in this area, however, due to significant differences between the papers, it appears that there is still room for new relevant research.For the research of this paper, a macroscopic mobility simulation was used as methodology in order to assess the effect of an AMoD ride sharing service. This was done for the district of Mödling in the metropolitan region of Vienna. This region shares borders with Vienna and is one of the regions from where most commuters travel towards and from Vienna. Also, due to its features it would serve as role model for further regions around Vienna or even the city itself.For the simulation, three different scenarios were created to better analyse the significance of ride sharing. All three simulations show that it would be possible to decrease the current private vehicle fleet to maximum 10% with ride sharing, but still serving full demand. Other positive effects include a lower total mileage of the vehicles, fewer vehicles on the roads at any given time what leads to less congestion, and most importantly, it would lead to lower emission by the vehicles. This would be especially true if the sharing fleet consisted of battery-electric-vehicles only. Therefore, electric autonomous ride sharing can be seen as a future mobility trend that helps to decrease vehicle fleet size, congestion, and emissions. This will help cities to become cleaner, safer, and less congested by vehicles. Not only during rush hours for commuters, but during the whole day as the service can be used at any time for any reason within the given area of operation. Thus, private transportation would get more efficient and sustainable in the future by the introduction of AMoD ride sharing.