Because vehicle-to-everything (V2X), connected vehicle (CV), and connected autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies have not been widely applied, there is little empirical evidence available about their social equity impacts. However, researchers have used scenario analysis to understand potential impacts. For example, a study from the Urban Mobility & Equity Center at Morgan State University investigated the mobility and equity impacts of connected vehicles as they relate to congestion through a simulated urban network, finding that “the gradual deployment of CVs can significantly improve mobility and equity while saving energy and reducing emissions” [1].
CAVs have the potential to foster an equitable future for disadvantaged communities by improving accessibility, or to create a transportation network that is accessible only to the privileged [2]. Past research [3] has suggested that if CAV policies with regards to social equity are not regulated, disadvantaged populations will face the burdens of lower accessibility and climate impacts. People with lower income, mobility challenges, and historically disadvantaged groups were identified by Cohen and Shirazi as the groups with significant potential benefits from social equity policies of CAVs [4]. Households with low income spend disproportionate amounts of income on transportation expenses [5], which can be reduced by social equity related policies of CAVs including the use of sharing policies for cost distribution over several passengers and/or having policies for the use of non-car modes for sharing such as buses and walking [6]. Shaheen et al. emphasized the importance of expanding active modes of transportation and transit to avoid the replacement of these services by CAVs [7]. Paddeu et al utilized survey participants for acceptability of CV and AVs. They observed in-vehicle security, safety, and affordability as critical factors for acceptability of these technologies [8].

People with age related disabilities would be greatest beneficiaries of CAVs. Claypool et al. proposed that designing CAVs with accommodation for disabilities could serve as a key factor for reducing the accessibility gap between people with and without disabilities [9]. People living in rural areas face challenges of limited walking and biking infrastructure, and transit inaccessibility. Furthermore, people without vehicle ownership or seniors and children have no mobility whatsoever. CAVs have the potential to improve accessibility in such rural areas and make travel more comfortable for rural residents [10]. Lempert et al. performed a scenario analysis to study the equity and accessibility benefits of connected vehicle technology in the United States by 2035, exploring three different scenarios: Mobility for All, Mobility in Transition, and Fragmented Mobility [11]. The Mobility for All scenario represented a future where CV, automated vehicle (AV), and electric vehicle (EV) technology transformed transportation to the benefit of the entire population by 2035, while in the Fragmented Mobility scenario benefits were assumed to accrue only at higher income levels. Mobility in Transition represented a scenario where technology was less advanced and widespread, but there was political commitment to reach underserved populations. The study found that connected vehicles have potential for significant social benefits, apart from the Fragmented Mobility scenario which would result in degradation of health, equity, and accessibility for most of the population [11].This was attributed to the fact that most benefits of CV arise from integration with automation and electrification.

Additional research is needed to understand the full range of how vehicle connectivity could influence social equity. This could include research on social equity benefits of using CAVs for shared mobility and their influence on active modes of travel. Furthermore, there is limited literature on social equity benefits of integrating CVs/CAVs with electric vehicles.