Determinants of the acceptability of autonomous (cargo) mobility

Abstract

The transformation of the mobility sector is underway, and technological innovations such as autonomous driving are showing a way to set the future of mobility. In the implementation of new mobility offers, it is essential to consider aspects of acceptability research, as their use may directly depend on acceptability. In this study, determinants of the acceptability of autonomous mobility were investigated using both a comprehensive questionnaire and a virtual reality study. The questionnaire results show that assessments of acceptability of autonomous driving, in general, are lower than the acceptability of specific autonomous vehicles, in this case, autonomous cargo bikes. For both, acceptability increases if (1) the object of acceptability is also expected to be highly beneficial, (2) environmentally friendly values or (3) an intention to use sustainable means of transport exist and (4) discomfort towards innovations such as digitalization is low. Furthermore, the assessment of acceptability varies depending on groups, e.g. between men and women, or between cyclists and car drivers. Our virtual reality study showed that the possibility to experience interaction with autonomous vehicles has a positive effect on their acceptability and related variables.