Perceptions of Autonomous Vehicles: A Case Study of Jordan

Abstract

Technologies for automated driving have advanced rapidly in recent years. Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are one example of these recent technologies that deploy elements such as sensors or processing units to assist the driver. The effective integration of these vehicles into public roads depends on the drivers’ acceptance and how they adjust to this new generation of vehicles. This study investigated the acceptance and willingness of Jordanians to purchase AVs in Jordan. The ordinal logit model was deployed to determine the factors attributed to individual acceptance of AVs, such as the cost, security, privacy, along with the environmental impact, among others. The findings of a national survey conducted on 582 Jordanians to assess their perception about AVs revealed that Jordanians were generally interested in using AVs. However, their decisions about purchasing AVs are influenced by several factors. The results indicated that the cost of AVs greatly influences purchasing decisions, though if the cost is affordable, respondents were more interested in using AVs. The findings also revealed that there is a substantial relationship between the level of security and the likelihood of buying a self-driving car, as respondents are concerned about the level of security and privacy. Furthermore, the results revealed that environmentally friendly AVs are more likely to be owned compared to conventional vehicles. This study helps to enhance the current understanding by highlighting road user perceptions, with practical implications for practitioners.