FROM TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE TO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE — ADAPTABLE FUTURE ROADS IN AUTONOMOUS URBANISM

Abstract

Modern road systems consist of a large amount of driving fault-tolerant space for security reasons, leaving much of the area vacant and underutilized in off-peak hours. The emerging autonomous vehicle technology may address this problem while reshaping the urban structure and space through transportation technology innovations. Once the algorithm-controlled vehicles can realize an accurate running, 80 percent of the existing roads can be transformed into vegetated permeable surfaces. As a result, the whole road system will be converted into a pervasive green infrastructure network, which provides an opportunity to enhance the continuity of urban ecosystem. Moreover, the cloud computing technology may help distribute more lanes to vehicles during peak hours and shrink vehicles’ right of way during off-peak hours. The saved road space could support activities such as outdoor restaurants and concerts. Finally, the author encourages more landscape architects to contribute to a better future of autonomous urbanism with their visions of eco-environment, public space, and humanity.

Keywords

Autonomous Vehicle / Technology / Transportation / Green Infrastructure / Road Softening

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2019 Higher Education Press