Users’ Acceptance of Connected and Automated Shuttles for Tourism Purposes: A Survey Study

Abstract

In recent years, autonomous vehicles have received increasing attention and many studies in the literature have discussed the potentialities and the opportunities they could offer. Despite the potential benefits, mainly related to the expected reduction in accidents and congestion phenomena as well as the potentially improved social inclusion of people with driving difficulties (e.g., people with physical disabilities or elderly people), many aspects remain to be addressed, mainly for understanding users’ acceptance in the case of collective transport vehicles. This study proposes an analysis based on a survey aimed at exploring user’s preferences with respect to the use of autonomous shuttles (ASs) for tourism purposes. The main correlations between the variables considered and the preferences of potential users have been discussed. Interviewees expressed high confidence in AS technology, although the analyses performed about willingness to pay show that users give more relevance to the provided transport services than the AS technology.

Digital Technologies for Urban Metabolism Efficiency: Lessons from Urban Agenda Partnership on Circular Economy

“…Firstly, resistance to change and the maintenance of the status quo can lead policymakers, bureaucratic apparatuses, and entrepreneurs to maintain their power of influence, rejecting any innovation in the decision-making process [198]. Furthermore, the lack of: (a) confidence in digital technologies [199]; (b) motivations or incentives to codesign or cocreate circular urban policies [200]; (c) awareness of the importance of user participation and monitoring [201]; (d) certainty in the use of digital devices due to security and privacy issues [202], and (e) familiarity with fixed and mobile digital platforms [203] are factors that discourage users from actively participating in the digitalization of the circularity of urban metabolism.…”

Fahrerlose Shuttles im öffentlichen Personennahverkehr: Akzeptanz und Einstellung in der Bevölkerung

“…So bestätigen die vorliegende wie auch andere Arbeiten, dass auf der einen Seite fahrerlose Systeme assoziiert werden mit individuellen und gesellschaftlichen Vorteilen, wohingegen auf der anderen Seite eine skeptische Haltung gegenüber der Technik eingenommen wird (vgl. Battistini et al 2020).…”

Accessibility Retrofit of a Shared Automated Vehicle: Challenges and Lessons Learned

“…An emerging and attractive aspect of SAVs is the opportunity to travel socially, that is to socialize both during the trip and at the destination (Battistini et al, 2020). People with disabilities, like any other passengers, have also communicated a preference to travel with others, not for assistance but for social reasons.…”