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July | August 2017
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construct, capital might be reallocated to enhance revenue-gener-
ating aspects of a building.
Commercial buildings will need greatly enlarged areas for pas-
senger drop-off and pickup, allowing for orderly entering and exit-
ing during times of high-volume use. Deliveries may occur on a
just-in-time basis, changing the loading dock and other support
facilities.
Infrastructure
The location and nature of parking facilities will necessarily change.
Autonomous vehicles need short-term parking spaces between uses,
likely in the vicinity of those areas that the vehicle patrols.
Long-term parking also will be needed, but is more likely at satel-
lite locations. Also, extensive smart infrastructure will be required
to support the use of autonomous vehicles.
The design of such infrastructure is well underway. The develop-
ment of certain standards and criteria also is progressing to allow
for the interoperability of vehicles over long-distance trips and their
safe operation in congested areas.
New Investment Opportunities
Real estate investors may fi nd opportunities coming from these
possibilities. Examples include:
• Roadside property may be needed for vehicle-to-vehicle infra-
structure technology.
• Commercial freight companies may need platooning centers,
where vehicles are organized in effi cient platoons based on des-
tination and size to maximize fuel savings.
• Ride-hailing fl eets may need inventory centers to store driverless
cars while they are not in use.
• Both platooning centers and ride-hailing fl eets will need service
centers for maintenance of their specialized technologies.
• Vehicle testing centers will be needed in more locations than
currently planned.
Autonomous vehicles represent a new paradigm in transporta-
tion, providing opportunities for commercial real estate develop-
ment and economic growth. Strategically minded developers might
start planning now to better understand potential issues pertaining
to land use and the built environment. Both current holdings and
land speculation should be considered, particularly those near dense
urban centers.
William J. Kohler is a senior counsel with the national law fi rm
Dykema Gossett PLLC in Detroit. Contact him at wkohler@dykema.com.
Ross J. Altman is a member with the national law fi rm Dykema
Gossett PLLC in Chicago. Contact him at raltman@dykema.com.
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