Pedestrian and cyclist perceptions of interactions with fully automated buses

For Automated Buses (ABs) to operate on the public road network they must interact with other road users in ways that are both clear and predictable. This requirement is especially vital in interactions with Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. This study investigates the determinants of VRU perceived safety and trust when sharing the roads with ABs, using data obtained from an online survey distributed to UK residents (n = 2,013). Findings indicated that only 34.6% of respondents would feel comfortable sharing the road with ABs while walking and even fewer (23.0%) would feel comfortable cycling alongside them. The survey included a best-worst scaling experiment to identify which AB driving behaviors respondents considered the most important. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on items from the BFI-2-S personality inventory to extract factor scores representing the Big Five personality dimensions. A bivariate probit model with heterogeneity in the means of the random parameters was estimated for walking and cycling comfort. The best-fitting model included sociodemographic characteristics, travel behavior patterns, personality, attitudes and experiences with automated technologies and the perceived importance of AB driving behaviors such as yielding to pedestrians at crossing facilities. Extraversion was positively associated with comfort for both pedestrians and cyclists, while negative emotionality and conscientiousness were positively associated with cycling comfort. Taking part in an automated public transport trial was a positive predictor of comfort for both groups, providing support for expanding trials that allow VRUs to interact with ABs in real-world settings.