How far are we towards sustainable Carfree cities combining shared autonomous vehicles with park-and-ride: An agent-based simulation assessment for Brussels

This research investigates the potential of Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) to eliminate Conventional Private Vehicles (CPVs) towards sustainable carfree cities. Besides internal-city CPV travellers, travellers with external trips (either origins or destinations are outside the city) are also shifted to SAVs or Public Transit (PT) based on individuals' utilities with Park-and-Ride (PnR) initiatives. Our research presents a new PnR allocation approach optimising PnR facilities selections. Then, several Agent-Based Modellings (ABM) are conducted using MATSim. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is selected as the case study area. The outcomes reveal the significant impacts of PnR market penetration and SAV pricing strategies. The proposed carfree initiatives bring notable benefits, including reduced congestion in the city centre and significant transport emission reductions. However, there are also drawbacks, such as longer travel time for PnR travellers and increased congestion in specific regions. Consequently, a PnR market penetration between 40% to 60% represents a feasible range under the current Brussels mobility network. Furthermore, SAVs should be seen as a complement to PT rather than with a very low fare structure. Generally, our findings emphasise the necessity for a multifaceted approach for different stakeholders to maximise SAV benefits towards more sustainable mobility networks.