Evaluating Autonomous Vehicles in the Context of Sustainable Development

This poster includes my findings on how autonomous vehicles (AVs) can contribute to sustainable development, using Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as my primary framework.

Autonomous Vehicles integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensor technologies to enable self-driving capabilities, and my key question here is how AV adoption aligns with broader sustainability goals such as environmental protection, social equity, and responsible governance. On the positive side, AVs could enhance road safety by minimizing human error, reduce congestion through optimized traffic flow and eco-friendly driving, and extend mobility options for underserved groups like older adults, disabled individuals, and those without driver’s licenses. However, AVs also bring challenges: they raise ethical dilemmas such as “trolley problem” scenarios in unavoidable accidents, complicate liability issues when determining whether manufacturers, software developers, or owners should bear accident responsibility, and may substantially affect employment by displacing professional drivers. 
In terms of governance, China follows a state-led approach, investing heavily in infrastructure and integrating AVs with smart city and 5G networks, while Western countries, including the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe, adopt a market-driven model in which private companies pioneer AV innovation under varying local regulations.

Overall, although AVs show promise for making transportation safer, more efficient, and more inclusive, realizing these gains and ensuring alignment with ESG principles will require clear policy and legal frameworks, ethical decision-making protocols, and proactive responses to employment displacement.