Requirements for automated micro-vehicles from the German public: a survey study

Abstract

This study investigates public requirements for and acceptance of semi-sized automated micro-vehicles (AMVs) in urban traffic in Germany, addressing safety and functional expectations from both incidentally co-present persons and potential delivery customers. A two-step approach, combining qualitative pre-studies and a quantitative survey was employed. Qualitative research consists of interviews, focus groups, and expert workshops to identify requirements, which are quantified in a survey involving 1000 urban-dwelling Germans. The results show that safety-related requirements are paramount. The top priority is basic vehicle safety, such as “safe braking behaviour,” “visibility,” and “safety in all weather conditions”. Autonomous behaviours for safety and delivery-specific attributes are also significant, though some autonomous functions received mixed responses. Social and sustainability requirements are also important—size and speed restrictions only moderately. The novelty of the research approach lies in focusing not only on the identification of acceptance factors, i.e. showing that size is important to public acceptance, but to study tangible requirements and accepted limits regarding vehicle design, behaviour and integration into public spaces, such as speed and size limits, evaluation of specific autonomous behaviours and technical details. The study emphasises the need for infrastructure, regulations, and trust-building efforts in AMV adoption.