The Institute for Driverless Transport (IfDT) is set to launch its Research Roadmap at an event in London on 28 October.
The roadmap identifies unanswered questions that could shape the impact of autonomous vehicles, moving the debate beyond the technology itself to its wider consequences for society, the economy and national security.
Five areas of research
Its themes are grouped into five areas: the speed of rollout, social change, economics and productivity, job displacement, and security and geopolitics.
Questions highlighted by the IfDT include how driverless transport could affect vehicle ownership, what a fair transition would look like for people whose jobs involve driving, and whether new services could improve independence for older and disabled people.
The roadmap will also consider how the UK should respond to potential dependence on overseas technology.
The London launch is intended to mark the next stage of the project, following work to identify the key questions. The event will begin with an introduction to the roadmap and provide attendees with an opportunity to discuss the topics and indicate areas of interest for further collaboration.