Public Views towards Implementation of Automated Vehicles in Urban Areas

TLDR

The study was part of evaluation activities for an automated vehicle demonstrated in the city. The study reports public opinions on implementing automated vehicles in urban areas, based on a survey in La Rochelle. A survey in La Rochelle was used to collect public opinion data. Survey results show that public attitudes toward automated buses and cars in urban areas are generally positive, with lower fares and ownership appealing, but security concerns, especially at night, remain a major issue, and about two thirds would use automated buses if available alongside conventional ones.

Abstract

In this paper, a study on public opinions towards implementation of automated vehicles in urban areas is reported which is based on a survey in La Rochelle. This was a part of the evaluation activities on the automated vehicle demonstrated in the city. According to the surveys, public attitudes were positive towards implementation of automated buses in urban areas. The most attractive benefit of automated buses would be lower bus fares because of no driver costs. About two thirds of people surveyed would consider taking automated buses if both automated and conventional buses were available on a route. Passenger security would be one of most concerned issues for automated buses especially during night time services. The public attitudes towards automated cars in urban areas were also positive. More than half of the people surveyed stated that they would consider using automated cars if they become available, with three quarters being interested in owning an automated cars, and one quarter in sharing automated cars through services such as car-sharing, car-pooling, or taxis.