Understanding Operator Influence in Automated Urban Shuttle Buses and Recommendations for Future Development

Abstract

The automation of our vehicles is an all-present topic with great benefits for society, particularly in the area of public transport and pilot projects of automated shuttle buses are already underway. However, they do not show the full potential of using them as a supplement to public transport, since single-occupancy registration of the vehicles usually allows only slow speeds and also requires a substitute driver on board. In our study, we aim to (1) examine the status quo of its user acceptance and (2) identify the roles of the operators and their tasks in automated urban shuttle buses. We conducted a mixed-method study including in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and in-the-field observations visiting pilot projects of the two most widespread pilot projects on German streets. Our results uncover the multiple roles and tasks the human operators currently assume. Furthermore, we developed design approaches for a digital companion substituting the operator in a long run and evaluated these concepts. A remote operator or a hologram were preferred solutions and we propose further design requirements for such companions. This work helps to understand the individual roles that operators currently occupy and provides a good basis for concepts of technologies that will perform these tasks in the future.

Aiding Automated Shuttles with Their Driving Tasks as an On-Board Operator: A Case Study on Different Automated Driving Systems in Three Living Labs

“…A series of studies revolve around the potential or actual users of these vehicles: [17] focused on the users' acceptance of and satisfaction with automated shuttles in a living lab, [18] studied participants' intentions to use automated shuttles, [19] investigated passenger trust and the comfort of first-time users, and [20] asked shuttle passengers about perceived safety and their interactions with the vehicle. Focusing on passengers as well, a study by Schuß et al [21] attempted to examine the shuttle passengers' acceptance of on-board operators and to identify the roles and tasks of on-board operators.…”

Feedforward–feedback-enhanced model-free adaptive iterative learning control with measurement disturbance and data dropout for an autonomous bus trajectory tracking system

“…The safety of passengers and public road traffic is significantly impacted by the control effect achieved for buses, which are the primary mode of public transport 1 , 2 and thus of paramount importance to the security of travelers’ lives and property. Therefore, research on trajectory tracking for autonomous buses has been a focus of scholars worldwide.…”

Robust model-free adaptive iterative learning control for an autonomous bus trajectory tracking system

“…As economic development has advanced in recent years, bus operations have grown exponentially, road administration has shifted to information and automation, and bus travel has become the primary form of public transportation. 1,2 Two-dimensional path planning, angular accuracy, and the effect of external disturbances on the system are all integral components of the lateral control process in autonomous bus control. Consequently, this area has become a research hub for scholars and researchers both domestically and internationally.…”