Austin Brown

About the Author

Austin Brown is a leading expert on transportation policy and emerging technologies, with a career dedicated to dissecting the societal impacts of innovation. As a former director of the Urban Institute's Program on Vehicle and Mobility Innovation, he has advised policymakers, industry leaders, and urban planners on the integration of autonomous vehicles into everyday life. Brown's insightful analyses bridge the gap between hype and reality, offering grounded perspectives on how self-driving cars could reshape cities, economies, and personal mobility. In his acclaimed book, Are We There Yet?: The Myths and Realities of Autonomous Vehicles (The Urban Agenda), he demystifies the promises and pitfalls of this transformative technology, drawing on extensive research to guide readers through the myths surrounding automation and the practical realities of implementation. His work continues to influence debates on sustainable urban development and equitable access to advanced transportation solutions.