Public support for proposed government policies to optimise the social benefits of autonomous vehicles

Abstract

Governments will have a key role in establishing the policy environment needed to optimise the social outcomes associated with the evolution of autonomous vehicles (AVs). However, little is known about the extent to which the general public would support the diverse range of policies that could be implemented across human transport and product delivery AV applications. To address this deficit, the aim of the present study was to explore public support for a range of human transport and product delivery AV policies. In total, 1078 adult Australians completed an online survey that assessed transport-related attitudes and behaviours, including support for 11 AV policies pertaining to human transport and product delivery AV applications. Results suggest policies that ensure walking and cycling paths are prioritised for active transport (supported by 65%), limit the numbers of personal flying passenger AVs in the airspace (62%) and delivery bots on streets (64%), and ensure that those with mobility limitations have priority access to autonomous product deliveries (60%) are likely to be acceptable to the general community. To a somewhat lesser extent, limiting the operating hours for AV delivery services (51%) and banning the advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages on the surface areas of delivery AVs (50%) are also likely to be broadly accepted.