In this episode of Parking the Future, author and urban mobility expert Brooke Krieger narrates Chapter Five, focusing on the critical challenges that stand between today’s cities and an autonomous future.

As AV technology accelerates, this chapter provides a realistic look at the roadblocks that must be addressed to unlock its full potential—from infrastructure gaps to ethical dilemmas and funding hurdles.

Topics covered include:

• Infrastructure readiness, including electrification of parking, EV fleet hubs, and smart grid upgrades
• Smart city technology, such as 5G, V2X communication, and real-time data mapping
• Policy and regulation barriers, including outdated traffic laws, liability concerns, and the need for dynamic curb management
• Cybersecurity and data privacy, with a focus on AV-generated data and protection standards
• Public safety and ethical decision-making, including pedestrian protection and AV behavior in complex scenarios
• Socioeconomic equity and accessibility, ensuring AVs don’t deepen existing mobility gaps
• Federal funding challenges, exploring the fragmented landscape of national infrastructure investment and the impact of shifting political priorities

Krieger outlines how collaboration between policymakers, mobility companies, and city leaders will be essential to overcome these hurdles. With the right vision and coordination, AVs have the potential to create safer, smarter, and more equitable cities.

This chapter is a call to action for leaders and innovators to prepare not just for AVs—but for a future that puts people and purpose at the center of urban mobility.