Enhancing urban liveability: Modelling potential emission reductions of shared autonomous mobility and urban greening

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are increasingly regarded as catalysts for urban transformation, with the potential to reallocate space currently dominated by private motorised traffic towards more sustainable and citizen-oriented uses. However, empirical models based on real-world urban data confirming such potential remain limited. To address this gap, this study introduces a novel approach by simulating, within a real street network, the combined effects of AV-enabled street redesign and urban greening. This is operationalised through the modelling of a densely populated district within a medium-sized European city using PTV VISSIM microsimulation software. Four scenarios were evaluated: a baseline scenario with conventional vehicles and three involving AVs, two of which involved redesigned street layouts. Assuming full AV adoption—with one-third operating as shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs)—up to 31% of road space could be reclaimed, and CO₂ emissions reduced by up to 50%. Furthermore, if the reclaimed space were fully revegetated, it could absorb up to 23 tonnes of carbon annually and increase per capita green space by up to 24%, above the World Health Organization minimum. The results indicate the transformative potential of AVs in promoting sustainable urban planning.