A future without drivers?

Research Project, 2019

Background

A sustainable transport system is argued to be a fossil free system, based on the idea of shared mobility in which autonomous vehicles (AVs) could play an essential role. AVs, whether shared or not, require further technical development but dissemination will depend also on organisations’ as well as individuals’ (as decision makers, citizens, or users) acceptance of and trust in autonomous driving (AD).

In the quest for knowledge on factors influencing acceptance and trust in AV and AD, previous investigations have primarily relied on surveys/questionnaires based on different technology acceptance models, more or less adapted to the context of AV. Identified factors include aspects such perceived usefulness, ease-of-use, and reliability. However, recent research has argued the need for more holistic approach taking into account also, for example how the idea of AV and AD is communicated and through which channels; how it is interpreted and understood. Such an holistic approach require a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Aim

The aim of the project was – by integrating the perspectives of human factors engineering and psychology – to search for further knowledge and understanding of factors that influence people’s understanding of AVs, the abilities and limitations of AVs, and their possible impact on future urban mobility. 

Research approach

Participants representing three different groups – citizens (as future users), traffic and city planners (as decision makers), and engineers (developers of AVs) - took part in a series of focus group interviews in which the topics were addressed using different types of probing tools. Before the workshop, and as a 'sensitising element',  participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire where they had to consider different statements on pros and cons of AVs.