Autonomous shuttles: an integral part of new transit ecosystems?

Mobility futurists often paint a vivid picture of the future. Descriptions of how new and established transit options might work together in harmony conjure up visions of orderly traffic moving unimpeded through city streets, private and public transport that runs like clockwork, and a populace seamlessly hopping from one service to another as part of a single journey. It is an appealing dream, especially as cities increasingly attempt to tackle once and for all the dual blights of congestion and pollution. The prospect of adding futuristic, as yet unseen vehicle technologies to the mix is the cherry on top.