Levitate
- Project timeframe
- 1 May 2015 - 30 April 2018
- Research area
- Transport Safety
- Amount awarded
- £876,000
- Funder ID
- European Commission
Project leader: Professor Pete Thomas
Connected and automated transport systems (CATS) are expected to be introduced in increasing numbers over the next decade. Automated vehicles have attracted the public imagination and there are high expectations in terms of safety, mobility, environment and economic growth.
With such systems not yet in widespread use, there is a lack of data and knowledge about impacts. Furthermore, the potentially disruptive nature of highly automated vehicles makes it very difficult to determine future impacts from historic patterns.
Estimates of future impacts of automated and connected mobility systems may be based on forecasting approaches, yet there is no agreement over the methodologies nor the baselines to be used. The need to measure the impact of existing systems as well as forecast the impact of future systems represent a major challenge. Finally, the dimensions for assessment are themselves very wide, including safety, mobility and environment but with many sub-divisions adding to the complexity of future mobility forecasts.
The aim of the LEVITATE project is to prepare a new impact assessment framework to enable policymakers to manage the introduction of connected and automated transport systems, maximise the benefits and utilise the technologies to achieve societal objectives.