Public health may not be an area that immediately springs to mind as one that is affected by the development of autonomous vehicles.  The economic, environmental, and societal impacts have been well explored, but new research from Texas A&M delves into the potential public health impact of the technology.

The researchers developed a model to explore the matter systematically, with 32 risk factors identified that might impact our health.  They concluded that 17 of these are likely to have a negative impact, with eight having a positive impact (with the remaining seven uncertain).

“A survey on the receptiveness of autonomous vehicles’ impacts showed that there is a lack of awareness of the potential health impacts of AVs and low perceptions of the importance of AV health benefits,” the researchers explain.  “On the other hand, there are some unintended consequences of AVs’ implementation that need to be studied before AVs find their way onto the road.”

Points of impact

The model explored the potential changes in the transportation system once AVs become mainstream.  They identified seven key areas of impact: traffic flow; land use and the built environment; transportation infrastructure; transportation equity; transportation mode choice; and jobs related to transportation and traffic safety.

These changes are then examined to understand any potential health impacts they may have.  For instance, in an optimistic scenario, AVs might prevent 94% of accidents by the elimination of driver error.  They might, however, also introduce the risk of sensor malfunction, which could cause its own kind of accidents.

Similarly, an overreliance on AVs might prompt riskier behavior in users, perhaps by neglecting seatbelts or jaywalking more frequently.  AVs also have the potential to shift people away from public transport and more active means, such as walking or cycling, and into private vehicles, which can not only increase congestion but potentially raise pollution and greenhouse gas emission levels too.

“Given the very fast-paced research related to AVs, this work provides very good preliminary guidelines about how AVs can negatively and positively affect the general health of people before their full deployment,” the researchers say.  “Hence, engineers, planners, and policymakers can already examine measures and policies that could mitigate the negative health effects.”