Conversations In: Are We Ready to Share the Road with Autonomous Vehicles?

“Conversations In” represents a novel platform designed to stimulate dynamic and insightful dialogues amongst researchers, policy makers and industry professionals. It invites concise contributions that either respond to existing discussions or introduce fresh perspectives on specific nuances within the broader theme of the collection. Each article aims to spark and contribute to meaningful debates.For this “Conversations In” collection, we ask for contributions that address the question: Are we ready to share the road with autonomous vehicles?After more than a decade of pilots, robotaxi deployments, and shifting regulatory goalposts, autonomous mobility sits at an uncomfortable threshold. Some cities now host driverless services at scale; others have pulled back after high-profile incidents. Promises of safer roads, lower emissions, and inclusive mobility coexist with hard questions about liability, labour displacement, cybersecurity, equity of access, and the way autonomous systems behave in mixed traffic alongside pedestrians, cyclists, and human drivers.This collection invites compelling opinion articles that explore the contradictions, trade-offs, and possibilities within this debate. We seek voices from across disciplines and backgrounds — transport engineers, urban planners, ethicists, computer scientists, policymakers, operators, and engaged citizens — who can offer diverse perspectives on whether, where, and on whose terms autonomous vehicles should share public space. Contributions might address technical readiness, regulatory frameworks, public trust, the rural-versus-urban divide, freight versus passenger applications, or the cultural and behavioural shifts required of everyone else on the road.Each article submitted should be no more than 1,500 words and can include one table and/or figure. Authors should select the Opinion article type when submitting their manuscripts to this call. Whilst opinion pieces from groups of authors are welcome, we ask that researchers consider the value of individual dialogue within this article collection as well.In recognition of the importance of this collection, waivers to Article Processing Charges are available to authors. Please reach out to the Editorial Office in advance of submitting for more information on how to access these waivers.Please note, due to the topical nature of this theme, the journal is acting as overall host of the Topic. This ensures all potential authors across the spectrum of opinions on this theme feel welcomed to submit their pieces. Papers in this collection will be handled and reviewed by members of our permanent Editorial Board, with final approval/rejection undertaken by the section Chief Editor. Topic editors: Frontiers in Future Transportation Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82606/conversations-in-are-we-ready-to-share-the-road-with-autonomous-vehicles