More and more severe weather events necessitate better evacuation strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations without access to private vehicles. This study investigates opportunities for shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) in faster evacuation of the Houston, Texas coastline, with a focus on the crucial first-mile connection to bus stations. Microsimulations of various scenarios reveal performance of SAV systems with different seating capacities, fleet sizes, shared-ride acceptance levels, and coordination with bus departures to shelters. The Houston evacuations appear most effective with smaller, 5-seater SAVs, operated at a ratio of 1 SAV per 14 evacuees. The results underscore the importance of SAV-to-bus coordination, demonstrating that strategic ride-sharing and scheduling can significantly reduce evacuee wait times and fleet operating costs while maintaining timely arrivals at distant shelters. This work illuminates the practical implications of integrating SAV technology with existing transit systems to improve emergency management for carless populations.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Leveraging shared autonomous vehicles for vulnerable populations during pre-disaster evacuation


    Additional title:

    TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND TECHNOLOGY
    J. LEE AND K. M. KOCKELMAN


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2024-11-16


    Size :

    33 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English