Understanding Autonomous Shuttle Adoption Intention: Predictive Power of Pre-Trial Perceptions and Attitudes

Area of Science:

• Transportation science
• Human-computer interaction
• Sociology of technology

Background:

• Demand-responsive transport, especially autonomous shared options, offers enhanced mobility and quality of life.
• Implementing such systems requires adapting operations to local socioeconomic conditions and understanding user needs.
• Public perception and attitudes towards autonomous demand-responsive transport are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a theory-based framework for analyzing public adoption intention of autonomous shuttle buses.
• To provide empirical insights into the factors influencing the adoption of autonomous demand-responsive transport.
• To examine the relationships between perceptions, attitudes, and usage intention in South East Queensland, Australia.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a case study approach in South East Queensland, Australia.
• Employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data.
• Investigated relationships between perceived relative advantages, service quality, risks, usefulness, attitude, and usage intention.

Main Results:

• Confirmed basic technology acceptance model relationships found in previous studies.
• Direct effects of perceived relative advantages and service quality on usage intention were not significant.
• Perceived risks negatively impacted attitudes and usage intention, with no association with perceived usefulness.

Conclusions:

• Attitudes significantly mediate the relationship between perceived advantages/service quality and usage intention for autonomous shuttle buses.
• Addressing perceived risks is crucial for increasing public acceptance and uptake of autonomous demand-responsive transport.
• Findings offer guidance for policymakers and planners to facilitate the successful integration of autonomous transport solutions.