4.3 The future sub-system.

As it has been introduced in previous work, the predictions for the future of the mobility in developed countries show that autonomous vehicles will be gaining representation. In the context of 2065 it is thought that this technology is very much applied in many European countries and, therefore, the public is conscious about the advantages that this type of transport offers. Some of these are:

• Higher driving comfort for the users as they will not need to worry neither about the driving nor for taking care of a personal vehicle.
• Less severe accidents due to the automated control of the driving.
• Less congestion of the roads as the vehicles will be much more used, therefore less vehicles are needed to cover the demand for transport.
• Less visual impact to the environment

It can be said that automated vehicles take inspiration from the idea of an efficient public transport. The fact that no driver is needed will enable the network to be more flexible and reach locations that would be inconvenient to reach nowadays. All these benefits will contribute to a successful implementation of such technology.

In Texel, because its island condition, it is very likely that by 2065 automated vehicles will be the centre of the mobility together with bicycles. A network of AVs will be working as an isolated system in the island area. This means that potentially there will be no flow of cars from or to the mainland and some form of ferry will be still making the connection overseas but (practically) only carrying people and minor bike-type vehicles.

Cycling will still be a very suitable method to move around the island and part of the bikes might be adapted to people with lower physical capacities like elderly people or children. The development of cycling paths will contribute to make Texel an ideal place for cyclists. Automated vehicles for transport within the island will be used occasionally in conditions of bad weather and when a relatively long distance needs be travelled.

Moreover, both locals and tourists might use the AVs network to go from their accommodation to the ferry and then connect to the transportation system in the mainland and viceversa. The trip to the ferry could also be done by bike but it could be inconvenient if fast transportation is needed and heavy objects like baggage should be carried.

Another use of the mobility system in Texel is (and will be) the transportation of goods and waste. The network of AVs will also be fitted to include this point. On the one hand, special automated vehicles can be used in order to get the goods from mainland suppliers to local shops and businesses and also to send goods from the island to the mainland. In this way, because of the fact that the vehicles used are full also in the return trip and the absence of drivers, the cost of transport will be much lower. On the other hand, the AVs system will also be suitable for the transport of waste either within the island or to the mainland. It might be especially interesting talking about this last aspect with the groups that are working on waste treatment in Texel.

In regard to the ownership of the AVs network, the objective would be that its users, and more specifically Texelaars, were owners of the company that provided the service. Background on initiatives like this can be seen in the company of the ferry Teso, funded and owned by the local people. By doing so, it will be ensured that the system always follows the local interests and needs and that the benefits of its activity are distributed among the island.

In conclusion, a prediction of the future in the sub-system of mobility has been presented. This system lays a lot on Automated Vehicles and good cycling paths, and aims to bring flexibility of the network, horizontality between its users and efficient transportation. In the following point, pathways for getting to the situation in 2065 will be presented and discussed.