Samaras Presents on Energy Impact of Autonomous Vehicles to Congressional Staff

Transportation accounts for about one-third of energy consumption in the U.S. As the sector undergoes a transformational change with the adoption of driverless cars, shared mobility and electrification, Constantine Samaras is specifically looking at the energy, safety and sustainability impacts of autonomous vehicles. 

Earlier this month, Samaras, a faculty fellow in the Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University and associate professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, presented this research to several U.S. Representatives and members of the Alliance to Save Energy’s 50x50 Commission at Carnegie Mellon’s National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC). The Alliance aims to use energy more wisely for a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability. The 50x50 Commission brings together business, government and civil society leaders who are working to cut the U.S. transportation sector’s energy use in half by 2050.

One of the Scott Institute's objectives is to engage policymakers, like the commission, to better inform decision making on energy-related issues. Samaras' discussion touched on how autonomous cars will change land use, energy and emissions by reducing the need for parking in crowded city areas and encouraging car sharing and driverless taxis.

Other notable presenters at the meeting included City of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and CMU Traffic 21 Executive Director Stan Caldwell, whose presentation focused on Pennsylvania as an intelligent transportation test bed. After hearing from CMU researchers and Mayor Peduto, the group toured NREC and had the opportunity to see the innovative robotics systems CMU experts have created for the demanding energy industry.

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