Together, We Can Get Somewhere: exploring potential factors for the implementation of shared, autonomous public transport
Doktorsavhandling, 2024
This thesis explores the factors influencing the implementation of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) as part of public transport. Originally titled "Societal Readiness Levels for Autonomous Vehicles," the research shifted early on to focus on SAVs, distinguishing itself from studies on privately owned autonomous vehicles. Conducted as an industrial PhD project, the research examines the interplay between technological acceptance and societal adaptation in the deployment of SAVs in a public transport context.
The study focuses on Australia and Sweden, with its methodology adapting to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic significantly influenced the scope and approach, prompting a shift toward digital data collection methods. This allowed for continued exploration of shared mobility, even when it became a sensitive topic for stakeholders and users.
A multilevel analytical model (MLAM) was developed to identify and evaluate factors affecting the adoption of SAVs within a sociotechnical system. The model examines three interconnected levels:
· Macro level—encompassing national policies, regulatory frameworks, technological development, infrastructure investment, cultural values, and economic conditions, with key actors shaping the enabling environment.
· Meso level—focusing on regional stakeholders like transportation authorities and local governments, who interpret and adapt national policies to meet local needs, particularly within regional mobility networks and digital infrastructure.
· Micro level—centered on individual users, analyzing sociodemographic, psychographic, and behavioral drivers of acceptance.
The research identified 53 factors influencing SAV adoption across these levels. Willingness to share mobility journeys (human-driven, as in dynamic ridepooling or ridehailing) emerged as a strong predictor of acceptance of SAVs, as did prior experiences with public transport or ridesharing. Key barriers include sharing anxiety and authority vacuum, both of which reduce users’ trust in and willingness to share AVs with others, positive
The thesis also highlights interdependencies between factors, emphasizing their cascading effects across societal levels. For instance, national policies directly shape regional implementations, which in turn influence individual behaviors. The lack of a coherent vision among Swedish stakeholders was identified as a challenge for integrating autonomous technology into public transit systems, complicating long-term planning.
Building on these findings, the study developed a preliminary Societal Readiness Index for Shared Autonomy (SRISA). This index offers a structured framework for assessing societal readiness and mapping pathways to implement SAVs in public transport. It underscores the need for alignment between technological advancements, societal expectations, and regulatory frameworks to achieve sustainable and inclusive mobility, particularly when using autonomous technology in as part of the public transport offer.
This research contributes to academic literature by offering a sociotechnical system perspective on SAV implementation. It emphasizes the importance of macro-level stakeholders creating a strong regulatory and administrative environment for meso-level stakeholders to make decisions, take actions, and engage with the public. It also enables regional stakeholders to understand the micro-level social concerns surrounding AV systems so that they can design better, more effective public transport for all.
Keywords: Autonomous vehicles; Public transport; Shared Autonomous Vehicles; Autonomous public transport; Implementation; Societal Readiness; Multilevel analytical model, Shared autonomy
The study focuses on Australia and Sweden, with its methodology adapting to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic significantly influenced the scope and approach, prompting a shift toward digital data collection methods. This allowed for continued exploration of shared mobility, even when it became a sensitive topic for stakeholders and users.
A multilevel analytical model (MLAM) was developed to identify and evaluate factors affecting the adoption of SAVs within a sociotechnical system. The model examines three interconnected levels:
· Macro level—encompassing national policies, regulatory frameworks, technological development, infrastructure investment, cultural values, and economic conditions, with key actors shaping the enabling environment.
· Meso level—focusing on regional stakeholders like transportation authorities and local governments, who interpret and adapt national policies to meet local needs, particularly within regional mobility networks and digital infrastructure.
· Micro level—centered on individual users, analyzing sociodemographic, psychographic, and behavioral drivers of acceptance.
The research identified 53 factors influencing SAV adoption across these levels. Willingness to share mobility journeys (human-driven, as in dynamic ridepooling or ridehailing) emerged as a strong predictor of acceptance of SAVs, as did prior experiences with public transport or ridesharing. Key barriers include sharing anxiety and authority vacuum, both of which reduce users’ trust in and willingness to share AVs with others, positive
The thesis also highlights interdependencies between factors, emphasizing their cascading effects across societal levels. For instance, national policies directly shape regional implementations, which in turn influence individual behaviors. The lack of a coherent vision among Swedish stakeholders was identified as a challenge for integrating autonomous technology into public transit systems, complicating long-term planning.
Building on these findings, the study developed a preliminary Societal Readiness Index for Shared Autonomy (SRISA). This index offers a structured framework for assessing societal readiness and mapping pathways to implement SAVs in public transport. It underscores the need for alignment between technological advancements, societal expectations, and regulatory frameworks to achieve sustainable and inclusive mobility, particularly when using autonomous technology in as part of the public transport offer.
This research contributes to academic literature by offering a sociotechnical system perspective on SAV implementation. It emphasizes the importance of macro-level stakeholders creating a strong regulatory and administrative environment for meso-level stakeholders to make decisions, take actions, and engage with the public. It also enables regional stakeholders to understand the micro-level social concerns surrounding AV systems so that they can design better, more effective public transport for all.
Keywords: Autonomous vehicles; Public transport; Shared Autonomous Vehicles; Autonomous public transport; Implementation; Societal Readiness; Multilevel analytical model, Shared autonomy
Autonomous public transport
Societal Readiness
Shared Autonomous Vehicles
Implementation
Multilevel analytical model, Shared autonomy
Public transport
Autonomous vehicles
VDL (Virtual Development Laboratory) Chalmers University of Technology Chalmers tvärgata 4C, 412 58 Göteborg
Opponent: Dr. Maria Attard, Head of Geography and Director of the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta.
Författare
Sigma Dolins
Chalmers, Industri- och materialvetenskap, Design & Human Factors
Title: Together, We Can Get Somewhere: Exploring Potential Factors for Implementing Shared Autonomous Public Transport
In my research, I set out to explore how Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) could be integrated into public transport systems to improve mobility, reduce emissions, and enhance accessibility. After all, driverless technology is a very cool tech and it could change transportation for everyone! But how it’s used matters. I focused on understanding the societal and technical readiness needed to make autonomous vehicles a major part of the public transport system.
A Multilevel Approach
To tackle this complex challenge, I developed a Multilevel Analytical Model (MLAM) that examines the interplay between three societal levels:
At the macro level, I looked at how national policies, regulations, and investments set the stage for SAV adoption.
At the meso level, I studied regional transport authorities and organizations responsible for translating these policies into real-world applications.
At the micro level, I explored individual users’ attitudes, behaviors, and willingness to share rides in SAVs.
Challenges and Opportunities
One major barrier to implementation that I identified is that of the authority vacuum, when people are in a driverless vehicle and they don’t know who is in charge inside the vehicle, if an emergency were to happen or other riders began misbehaving. This is a component of another barrier I found, sharing anxiety—many people are hesitant to share rides with strangers, especially in autonomous vehicles. I also found that when countries don’t have a central government actor or strategy for AVs, then regional organisations can get confused about how to introduce and pilot AV programs, something I termed role and mission confusion.
Measuring Readiness
As part of my work, I created a preliminary framework called the Societal Readiness Index for Shared Autonomy (SRISA). This tool combines insights from the macro, meso, and micro levels to help policymakers and stakeholders evaluate how prepared a region or society is to implement SAVs. It’s not just about the technology—it’s about ensuring people, policies, and systems are aligned.
Key Findings
Through my research, I discovered that people who have prior experience with ride-sharing or public transport are more likely to embrace SAVs. I also found that national policies directly shape regional implementations and influence individual behaviors. Collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities is essential for making SAVs work.
Case Context
To ground my findings, I focused on Australia and Sweden, two regions with different societal and governance structures. This allowed me to draw insights from diverse contexts and propose solutions that could work globally.
Why This Matters
I believe that for SAVs to become a part of our daily lives, we need to prepare society—not just the technology. After all, we as a species have a habit of inventing great things that are almost too great…think the automobile, or the cell phone. They’ve completely changed the way society works, but they’ve also introduced problems we don’t know how to handle, like carbon emissions, unsafe city streets, cyberbullying, misinformation campaigns. My goal is to get stakeholders on board to think critically about designing AVs to be a public good. By addressing social, technical, and policy-related challenges, we can pave the way for a sustainable, inclusive future in transportation. My research provides a roadmap to help us get there- together!
In my research, I set out to explore how Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs) could be integrated into public transport systems to improve mobility, reduce emissions, and enhance accessibility. After all, driverless technology is a very cool tech and it could change transportation for everyone! But how it’s used matters. I focused on understanding the societal and technical readiness needed to make autonomous vehicles a major part of the public transport system.
A Multilevel Approach
To tackle this complex challenge, I developed a Multilevel Analytical Model (MLAM) that examines the interplay between three societal levels:
At the macro level, I looked at how national policies, regulations, and investments set the stage for SAV adoption.
At the meso level, I studied regional transport authorities and organizations responsible for translating these policies into real-world applications.
At the micro level, I explored individual users’ attitudes, behaviors, and willingness to share rides in SAVs.
Challenges and Opportunities
One major barrier to implementation that I identified is that of the authority vacuum, when people are in a driverless vehicle and they don’t know who is in charge inside the vehicle, if an emergency were to happen or other riders began misbehaving. This is a component of another barrier I found, sharing anxiety—many people are hesitant to share rides with strangers, especially in autonomous vehicles. I also found that when countries don’t have a central government actor or strategy for AVs, then regional organisations can get confused about how to introduce and pilot AV programs, something I termed role and mission confusion.
Measuring Readiness
As part of my work, I created a preliminary framework called the Societal Readiness Index for Shared Autonomy (SRISA). This tool combines insights from the macro, meso, and micro levels to help policymakers and stakeholders evaluate how prepared a region or society is to implement SAVs. It’s not just about the technology—it’s about ensuring people, policies, and systems are aligned.
Key Findings
Through my research, I discovered that people who have prior experience with ride-sharing or public transport are more likely to embrace SAVs. I also found that national policies directly shape regional implementations and influence individual behaviors. Collaboration among governments, businesses, and communities is essential for making SAVs work.
Case Context
To ground my findings, I focused on Australia and Sweden, two regions with different societal and governance structures. This allowed me to draw insights from diverse contexts and propose solutions that could work globally.
Why This Matters
I believe that for SAVs to become a part of our daily lives, we need to prepare society—not just the technology. After all, we as a species have a habit of inventing great things that are almost too great…think the automobile, or the cell phone. They’ve completely changed the way society works, but they’ve also introduced problems we don’t know how to handle, like carbon emissions, unsafe city streets, cyberbullying, misinformation campaigns. My goal is to get stakeholders on board to think critically about designing AVs to be a public good. By addressing social, technical, and policy-related challenges, we can pave the way for a sustainable, inclusive future in transportation. My research provides a roadmap to help us get there- together!
Styrkeområden
Transport
Ämneskategorier
Tvärvetenskapliga studier
Interaktionsteknik
ISBN
978-91-8103-138-6
Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 5596
Utgivare
Chalmers
VDL (Virtual Development Laboratory) Chalmers University of Technology Chalmers tvärgata 4C, 412 58 Göteborg
Opponent: Dr. Maria Attard, Head of Geography and Director of the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta.