Page 26 - TT mag Sept 2025 Digital Edition

ITS

Ensuring Inclusivity, Accessibility and Equity in

Automated Mobility Deployment

Since the development of automated vehicles (AVs), many experts
in the transportation industry have stated that one of the biggest
benefits will be improving mobility for disadvantaged travelers
(e.g., elderly, persons with disabilities, low-income individuals).
However, many of those statements did not identify what is
necessary to make AVs improve mobility – is it just that these
vehicles will be self-driving or are there other vehicle features
that will facilitate mobility? Upon further investigation, having
AVs available to disadvantaged travelers will not automatically
make any improvements – there is a need to ensure that travelers
accept and trust this type of technology before examining other
needs of disadvantaged travelers. Carol Schweiger, President,
Schweiger Consulting LLC, writes for Trafficinfratech

tepping back for a moment, result in societal or ethical given these perspectives? In August
when examining intelligent issues. Data may not be 2022, the US Federal Transit
transportation systems (ITS), impartial since the data may be Administration conducted a study
such as AVs, with an equity used in a way that can create of the practices and ongoing
Slens, there are three major research on accessible public
perspectives to consider: biases. transportation automation. The key
1. ITS design and deployment has, So how will AVs improve the findings of this study are described
in the past, often overlooked mobility of disadvantaged travelers in the following table.
culture, gender, physical ability,
and ability to access and use
technology. While this has led Technologies Findings
to wasted time, diminished
safety and increased costs, it Ramps and lifts are essential Kneeling technologies are
has highlighted the fact that Boarding and for accessibility, with ongoing being developed to adjust to
technology development must Alighting research into automated the surrounding environment,
solicit input from all people of Technologies systems that can operate reducing ramp slopes
all ages and abilities. Obtaining without transit personnel
this input can be challenging
due to some specific groups not Current systems often require Research is ongoing for
being easy to reach. personnel assistance, but
Securement semi-automated devices allow universal docking interfaces
2. The equity of technology- Technologies wheelchair users to secure and automated securement
enabled mobility services (such themselves independently systems
as AVs) must be identified,
including the definition of key Technologies are being
equity dimensions and metrics, developed to assist Features like tactile
and development of mobility Wayfinding and passengers with disabilities in alternatives to audio
equity frameworks. Communication locating bus stops, identifying announcements and direct
Technologies connections to hearing aids
3. Data generated, analyzed and vehicles, and communicating are being explored
used by ITS technologies may with the vehicle

26 SEPTEMBER 2025 • TrafficInfraTech • www.trafficinfratech.com