Three revolutions at once: Spatial associations of the interaction of evolving technologies in transportation in Greater Kansas City.

Keywords: spatial analysis; sustainability; transportation; electric vehicles; CAV; shared mobility
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 16

Abstract

One of the most widely discussed topics in contemporary transportation research is the “three revolutions” of transportation. Electric vehicles, connected and automated vehicles, and shared mobility all hold the potential for significant changes to how we get around. Within each of these “revolutions,” research consistently examines factors that could influence adoption and use, as well as the potential impacts of that adoption and use. Much of the research so far studies each technological revolution individually. However, these changes are not occurring in a vacuum; instead, they are happening concurrently, and the evolution and adoption of one technology promises to influence that of the others.

This research addresses this gap by reporting the results of a late 2021 – early 2022 survey on residents of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. Kansas City makes for a particularly impactful study site, as it features what is believed to be one of the largest urban electric vehicle charging networks in the world, straddles multiple political jurisdictions, and is located in the relatively-understudied Midwest/Great Plains of the US. Respondents are asked about their knowledge of and prior experience with these different technologies in transportation and its related infrastructure, their travel behavior, and perceived impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on that behavior. The results are analyzed for the influence of proximity to infrastructure and other users of these technologies to identify spatial associations in the diffusion of these technologies with each other.