Autonomous vehicle technology is poised to spark a new revolution in urban infrastructure. In response to this impending transformation, the concept of Flexible Streets has been proposed as a development direction. Autonomous vehicles, controlled by algorithms, can achieve highly precise driving, requiring only 20% of current lanes to be paved with hard materials. Consequently, 80% of street space can be converted into flexible surfaces, freeing up significant space in densely populated urban areas. This conversion offers social, ecological, and economic benefits. Asphalt-based road infrastructure can be transformed into green infrastructure, incorporating plant life and enhancing a city's social value.
The concept of Flexible Streets can be categorized into the following three aspects:
Flexible Road Materials: Transition from single-use materials like asphalt and concrete to diverse materials that meet various needs.
Flexible Right-of-Way: Shift from a fixed right-of-way to an algorithm-controlled, flexible one that can adjust in real-time based on traffic conditions and surrounding social needs.
Flexible Systems: Evolve from the traditional "build-and-complete" road model to a flexible system that is easy to construct, maintain, update, and upgrade.
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