The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) convened the Autonomous Vehicle Inclusive Planning Cohort (AVIPC) to directly engage with the community on the integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into Seattle’s transportation system. This cohort, representing diverse community voices, aimed to ensure that AV deployment aligns with SDOT’s goals of equity, safety, mobility, sustainability, livability, and excellence. This report documents Seattle’s approach to AV integration under the guidance of their inclusive planning toolkit and through the engagement of the AVIPC. Developed in partnership between SDOT and the Urbanism Next Center and facilitated with Uncommon Bridges, it captures a collaborative, community-led process that ensures AV deployment is shaped by equity and transparency.

Key findings



Community-Centered Governance: The cohort emphasizes that effective AV policies must be rooted in community engagement—ensuring that local voices help shape standards for management, accountability, and operational transparency.



Equitable Workforce Transition: The report highlights the need for adaptive strategies to address job displacement in traditional driving roles, recommending robust retraining and local job creation initiatives to prepare communities for emerging roles in fleet management, maintenance, cybersecurity, and beyond.



Inclusive Accessibility & Safety Standards: It underlines the importance of designing AV services that are affordable and accessible, with safety benchmarks that exceed current norms. The report advocates for clear legal frameworks and partnership models that both guide and hold AV operators accountable, while also addressing the intersectional challenges faced by vulnerable communities.



Data-Driven Decision Making: Transparent data sharing is crucial. This report calls for comprehensive, publicly accessible operational data to build public trust and empower communities, thereby ensuring that AV deployments align with urban sustainability, livability, and equity goals.

View



View Report PDF



Behind a hard paywall (paid accounts only)



Behind a soft paywall (limited views allowed until a paid account is required)