Assessing Public Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles for Smart and Sustainable Public Transportation in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the benefits and drawbacks of autonomous public transit vehicles among 210 Indonesians. Some 25% of respondents knew nothing about driverless vehicles, whereas 14% did. The average 5-point Likert scale response was 3.12 (SD = 1.05), indicating intermediate expertise. Some 42% of respondents used autonomous vehicle sources such as public transport, 47% had no experience, and 11% were doubtful. The survey items’ Cronbach’s alpha score is 0.873, indicating strong internal consistency and reliability. Most respondents supported the deployment of autonomous road vehicles for public transportation and said they would improve public transportation quality and accessibility. Technical issues and legal liabilities worried responders. The mean scores for the seven autonomous car benefits were similar, showing that respondents did not strongly prefer any benefit. After assessing the socioeconomic status and concerns, the study indicated that people who saw greater benefits were more tolerant of autonomous vehicles. Most respondents also wanted a clearer explanation of their legal responsibilities in case of an accident, thought human operators should play a major role in the future, and supported government trials of autonomous vehicles before their widespread usage. The study’s findings can help policymakers and stakeholders increase public acceptance of new transportation solutions such as autonomous vehicles, and improve future mobility safety and sustainability.