How are Australian cities preparing for Autonomous Vehicles? A systematic review of transport and planning policies

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are predicted to be occupying a high proportion of urban roads over the next few decades. While having a wide range of benefits such as safe navigations and efficiency in road use, AVs can have negative impacts including pollution. Many of those benefits and impacts are still unknown. Lack of comprehensive awareness of the potential impacts and consequences of using AVs have prevented the development of relevant policies and strategies. Instead of waiting for arrival of AVs into common roads, urban policies and strategies can prepare the infrastructure and social awareness to adopt AV technologies for the better. This study reviews the current AV related strategies and policies in Australian states/territories to evaluate their preparedness for the advent of AVs. Our review shows that New South Wales and South Australia have initiated plans and policies to adopt AV technologies, however, have different approaches and objectives. Victoria has developed some policies and strategies to prepare for common use of AVs, and Queensland has initiated trials and strategies. Other states and territories are yet to follow the developments and lessons learned from these states.