Emerging types of passenger vehicles have implications for the management of the road transport system. Increased diversity in the vehicle fleet has implications in terms of road safety, driver training/licensing, road design (including parking lot design and lane configurations) and operational performance including accessibility, congestion and environmental impacts. A range of alternative vehicle types are identified including personal mobility devices, power assisted bicycles, three-wheeled cars and micro/moped cars. The impacts of these alternative vehicles on key outcomes of interest to road authorities are assessed. While opportunities exist to improve system efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, there is a risk of poorer safety outcomes. To address that trade-off, a range of potential responses are available from regulations and fiscal measures to training and advocacy. Short, medium and long-term priority actions for road system managers are identified. (Author/publisher)
Abstract