Fully driverless automated vehicles (AVs) could considerably alter the proximity value of parking, due to an AV’s ability to drop passengers off at their destination, search for cheaper parking, and return to pick up their occupants when needed. This study estimates the potential impact of privately owned driverless vehicles on vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT), energy use, emissions, and parking revenues in the city of Seattle, Washington, from changes in parking decisions using an agent-based simulation model. Each AV is assumed to consider the cost to drive to each parking spot, the associated daily parking cost, and the parking availability at each location, and the AV ranks each choice in terms of economic cost. The simulation results indicate that at low penetration rates (5–25% AV penetration), AVs in downtown Seattle would travel an additional 5.6–6.4 km/day ($3.5–4.0\mathrm{mi}/\mathrm{day}$ ) on average, and that, at high penetration rates (50–100% AV penetration), AVs would travel an additional 9.0–13.5 km/day ($5.6–8.4\mathrm{mi}/\mathrm{day}$ ) on average. The results also suggest that as AV penetration rates increase, parking lot revenues decrease significantly and could likely decline to the point where operating a lot is unsustainable economically, if no parking-demand management policies are implemented. This could lead to changes in land use as the amount of parking needed in urban areas is reduced and cars move away from the downtown area for cheaper parking. This analysis provides an illustration of the first-order effects of AVs on the built environment and could help inform near- and long-term policy and infrastructure decisions during the transition to automation.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are seeing widespread adoption globally due to technological improvements, lower manufacturing costs, and supportive policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Governments have introduced incentives such as purchase subsidies and investments in charging infrastructure, while automakers continue to broaden their electric vehicle portfolios. Although BEVs show high overall safety performance comparable to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), they also raise distinct safety challenges that merit policy attention. This review synthesizes the current literature on safety concerns associated with BEVs, with particular attention to fire risks, vehicle weight, low-speed noise levels, and unique driving characteristics. Fire safety remains a significant issue, as lithium-ion battery fires, although less frequent than those in ICEVs, tend to be more severe and difficult to manage. Strategies such as improved thermal management, fire enclosures, and standardized response protocols are essential. BEVs are typically heavier than ICEVs, affecting crash outcomes and braking performance. These risks are especially important for interactions with pedestrians and smaller vehicles. Quiet operation at low speeds can also reduce pedestrian awareness, prompting regulations for vehicle sound alerts. Together, these issues highlight the need for policies that address both emerging safety risks and the evolving nature of BEV technology.