Abstract
The development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) holds a high potential for improving security, reducing congestion, increasing fuel efficiency, and saving time. Various studies conducted on the implementation of AVs predict that fully autonomous vehicles will be available for the public in the 2020s. However, it will take another three decades, at least, for these vehicles and technologies to be accepted among the general masses and become reliable and affordable for use. Nonetheless, while a great deal has been stated regarding autonomous cars, little attention has been paid to autonomous public transport, more specifically, autonomous buses (ABs). The present report analyzed the psychological barriers preventing the complete implementation of ABs through data collected from focus group (FG) discussions. The main objective of the FGs was to determine the factors influencing perceptions regarding ABs and their acceptability. The most important factors from the positive side were the reduction of personnel costs, the potential to decrease congestion, waiting time at intersections, and reduced emissions. On the other hand, the most important negative factors were an increase in vehicle and infrastructure costs, safety risks under certain conditions (e.g., system failures, terrorist attacks, etc.), and the possible reduction of employment opportunities.
Highlights
The automation of transport is expected to bring a shift in mobility
The present report deals with the psychological barriers only, analyzed through data collected from focus groups (FGs)
As stated by Krueger and Casey [18], FGs are ideal when exploring perceptions, attitudes, and thoughts among individuals regarding a plan, policy, or tendency which will affect them in the future, and when searching for novel ideas, concepts, and issues related to a new topic. Both of these objectives were fulfilled and are included in the present report, i.e., a better understanding of the perceptions among people regarding the implementation of autonomous cars and buses in a manner that raises novel questions and factors related to this relatively new topic
Summary
The automation of transport is expected to bring a shift in mobility. This will significantly affect the way of life for many people [1] and will serve as a key aspect determining the competitiveness of transport companies, affecting their future position in economic, environmental, and social spheres [2,3]. Both of these objectives were fulfilled and are included in the present report, i.e., a better understanding of the perceptions among people regarding the implementation of autonomous cars and buses in a manner that raises novel questions and factors related to this relatively new topic. In the case described in the present report, each group consisted of eight participants, and the variables considered to ensure diversity were age and gender; according to different authors [28], these are the characteristics that influence the acceptability of autonomous driving the most.
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