Shared Autonomous Vehicles and Environmental Rebound in European Cities

This Research Topic investigates the environmental rebound effects emerging from the deployment of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) in European urban contexts. While SAVs promise efficiency, safety, and accessibility gains, their broader system-level impacts on travel demand, mode choice, and CO2 emissions remain uncertain. This Research Topic will examine how changes in travel behaviour—especially shifts in the perceived value of in-vehicle time, accessibility, and service quality—may lead to unintended impacts, including increases in vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) and associated emissions. By focusing on mid-sized European cities, the Research Topic will include nuanced, context-sensitive evidence that can inform urban mobility strategies, climate targets, and regulatory frameworks.We invite contributions that address, but are not limited to:Modelling and simulation, including:o Agent-based and activity-based models capturing behaviour changes due to SAV attributes (comfort, reliability, waiting times, prices, in-vehicle productivity).o Microsimulation of mixed traffic with SAV fleets, evaluating congestion, energy use, and network performance.o Scenario design for varying SAV penetration rates, pooling adoption, electrification levels, and policy packages.Behavioural and empirical studies, including:o Stated preference/choice experiments and revealed-preference analyses on willingness to share, time valuation shifts, and substitution from PT/active modes.o Heterogeneity in adoption and rebound across income, age, gender, and neighbourhood typologies.Environmental assessment, including:o Life-cycle assessment (LCA) of SAV fleets, including vehicle manufacturing, battery production, operations, and end-of-life.o Energy system interactions, grid implications, and emissions under different charging strategies and electricity mixes.Policy and governance, including:o Pricing instruments (road pricing, dynamic fares, carbon pricing), fleet regulations (pooling requirements, occupancy targets), and data-sharing mandates.o Integration with public transport and active mobility, including coordinated service design, ticketing, and infrastructure allocation.o Street design, curb management, and land-use policy responses to potential induced demand.Equity and accessibility, including:o Distributional impacts of SAV-induced changes in accessibility, affordability, and exposure to environmental externalities.o Inclusive design of SAV services to avoid exacerbating spatial or social inequalities.Findings from this research topic will support evidence-based decision-making for:o Urban mobility strategies that avoid induced emissions and car dependence,o Regulatory frameworks governing SAV operations, pricing, and integration,o Investment prioritization for infrastructure, electrification, and digital systems,o Equitable access to mobility services in line with European climate and social objectives. Topic editors: Luigi Dell'Olio, Andres Rodriguez Gutierrez Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74959/shared-autonomous-vehicles-and-environmental-rebound-in-european-cities