Understanding non-motorists' views on automated vehicle safety through Bayesian network analysis and latent dirichlet allocation

Does non-motorists’ safety perception of autonomous vehicles vary across opinion change stemming from crash occurrence? Investigating perceptions using fixed and random parameter ordered logit models

“…Conversely, the higher the likelihood of identifying as 'very unsafe' or 'unsafe' perception of the AVs the more they disapprove. This finding aligns with prior studies indicating that negative attitudes towards the testing environment are associated with heightened concerns regarding the safety of AVs [ 20 , 22 ]. The findings suggest that efforts to promote public acceptance of the AVs should not only focus on technological advancements but also consider the public's willingness to support testing initiatives and their perceived safety implications.…”

“…Positive news about AVs can have several beneficial effects on non-motorists' safety perception. Past studies have shown that exposure to positive news coverage, highlighting successful deployments, improved safety features, and benefits to non-motorists, can increase familiarity and trust in the AV technology [ 20 , 21 ]. Positive news that emphasize a reduction in the number of crashes, enhanced traffic flow, and improved safety measures can contribute to a positive perception of AV safety among non-motorists [ 22 ].…”