Continuous and dynamic growth in demand for road transport, especially in developing countries, causes increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. At the same time the emissions of toxic components of exhaust gases harmful to human health and the environment enhance – particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and others. In particular, GHG emission and increase their concentration in the atmosphere, where road transport is the largest issuer in the transport sector, become one of the most important global problems. So far actions towards reducing energy consumption and emissions have not caused a decrease in global emissions. The aim of authors of this paper is to analyze the potential for AV to reduce GHG emissions from road transport. The analysis includes not only technical and technological issues, but also organizational and in the management of transport demand.

Key findings

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Accurate estimation of the potential of AV in the reduction of GHG emissions is very difficult due to a series of variable factors that condition the functioning of the future transport system but many say it may be close to as much as 40-60%.

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The monitoring of AVs leaves questions about data and cyber security as all of our movement will be tracked.

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The reduction of emissions will only occur after AV become more popular, and this requires their creators to achieve 5th level of autonomy, at which people will be totally freed from the necessity to control cars.

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