In this episode, Dr. Henriette Cornet talks to William Levassor from beti. Togehter, they discuss if Autonomous Vehicles may (or may not) 'kill' public transit. William shares insights on autonomous vehicles, and together they debunk common myths, and explore their impact on public transit. They discuss technology, regulation, public perception, and future scenarios for AV deployment.

Keywords
autonomous vehicles, public transit, public transportation, robotaxi, regulation, technology, future mobility, public perception, AV deployment, digitalization, urban mobility

Key topics

• Impact of autonomous vehicles on public transit
• Public perception and misconceptions about AVs
• Regulatory and operational challenges in AV deployment
• Opportunities for AVs to improve urban mobility
• Future scenarios for AV integration in cities

Sound bites
"AVs will be useful in low-density and suburban areas."
"Immediacy is a key expectation in modern mobility."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles and Their Impact
05:07 Public Perception and Misconceptions of AVs
10:49 Differentiating Technology and Service in AVs
17:55 Opportunities for Public Transit Improvement
19:33 Weaknesses of Public Transit in Europe and the US
24:33 The Need for Immediacy in Public Transportation
27:08 The Evolution of Public Transit and Technology
30:00 Opportunities for Autonomous Vehicles in Public Transit
36:06 Depot Management and Automation
41:22 The Future of Public Transit vs. Ride-Hailing Services
47:56 Optimizing Public Transit with Private Partnerships

Resources
Urban Innovate - https://urban-innovate.com/
beti - http://www.navette-autonome.fr
wsp & CapMetro YARD program in Austin on bus depot automation - https://www.wsp.com/en-us/projects/ca...

Speakers links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-levassor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/henriette-cornet/

This episode of Urban Innovate TALKS features William Levassor, a public transit and autonomous vehicle expert, discussing the importance of data, safety, regulation, and trust in autonomous vehicle deployment. Henriette and William explore how data management, safety metrics, and regulatory frameworks shape the future of shared mobility and AV operations worldwide.

Links
Urban Innovate's website
Henriette Cornet on LinkedIn
William Levassor on LinkedIn
SFCTA's Conceptual Safety-Focused AV Permitting Framework (September 2025)

Key topics

• Data management and safety metrics in AV operations
• Regulatory frameworks and homologation processes in Europe and the US
• The role of third-party oversight and trust-building in AV deployment
• Stepwise approach to autonomous vehicle safety and scaling
• Differences in AV market strategies between Europe, US, and China

Sound Bites

• "We have all this data, but what do we want to do with it?"
• "Monitoring safety and performance is key to scaling AVs."
• "Third-party oversight can build trust and improve safety."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles and Fleet Operations

02:43 Digitalization in Public Transit and Fleet Management

05:09 Data Collection and Safety Monitoring in AVs

08:31 Regulatory Frameworks and Data Transparency

12:07 Performance Metrics and Safety Assessment

21:27 Models of Autonomous Vehicle Deployment

22:21 Challenges in Emergency Response and Autonomous Vehicles

24:50 Regulatory Frameworks and City Roles in AV Deployment

28:14 The Importance of Trust and Data in AV Operations

30:24 Metrics and Standardization for Safety in AVs

31:40 Future of AVs: Global Perspectives and Innovations

In this episode of Urban Innovate TALKS, host Henriette Cornet engages with philosopher Katie Evans to explore the intersection of AI, ethics, and public transportation. They discuss the importance of critical thinking in technology, the emotional responses to AI-related incidents, and the societal implications of automation. The conversation also delves into the development of a new AI tool, pulsur, and the ethical considerations that come with designing AI systems. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the need for transparency, moral responsibility, and the impact of technology on human agency and public life.

Takeaways

Philosophy encourages critical thinking about technology.
AI literacy is distinct from science fiction.
Public perception of AI incidents is often emotional.
Automation raises questions about job displacement.
Public transportation should maintain anonymity.
AI tools must balance control and flexibility.
Ethical considerations are crucial in AI design.
Transparency in data collection is essential.
The future of cities involves complex moral questions.
Technology should enhance, not diminish human agency.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Urban Innovate Talks
02:29 Exploring Philosophy and AI Ethics
05:41 The Role of Science Fiction in AI Literacy
08:14 Understanding Autonomous Vehicles and Public Perception
09:25 The Emotional Impact of AI-Related Incidents
12:17 The Intersection of Automation and Employment
14:56 The Future of Public Transportation and Anonymity
17:37 The Development of Pulsar: A New AI Tool
20:21 Ethical Considerations in AI Design
23:26 Final Thoughts on AI, Ethics, and Society