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Rumors in the air? Exploring public misconceptions about automated vehicles

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  • Du, Manqing
  • Zhang, Tingru
  • Liu, Jinting
  • Xu, Zhigang
  • Liu, Peng

Abstract

Automated vehicles (AVs) have potential to impact transportation, mobility, and society considerably in the future. Many beliefs surrounding this technology are criticized as “misconceptions” by transport experts, developers, journalists, and communicators. Understanding how the public views these beliefs offers insights for improving public communication and policymaking. We conducted the first study on views of 24 of these beliefs, including 21 arguable misconceptions (seven optimistic beliefs, 10 pessimistic beliefs, two beliefs of low requirements for AVs, two beliefs of high requirements for AVs) and three factual misconceptions about current AVs (e.g., “AVs are already available in the market”). During June 2020, Chinese participants (N = 1209) rated their agreement with these beliefs. They reached consensus on 16 beliefs. More than 50% of participants rejected nine beliefs and supported seven beliefs. They had some misconceptions about AVs. Nearly one third believed that AVs are already available in the market. Four classes of participants emerged through latent class analysis, labeled as “don’t know” (19.2%), “neutral to positive” (32.6%), “naïve enthusiasts” (28.3%), and “sober skeptics” (19.9%). Comparison of the latter two classes demonstrated the irony that those holding more misconceptions about AVs were more receptive to AVs, whereas those holding fewer misconceptions about AVs were more skeptical about AVs. Knowing more about AVs was associated viewing AVs more negatively. Effective public communication is urgent to dispel myths about AVs and prevent AV technology from becoming controversial.

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  • Du, Manqing & Zhang, Tingru & Liu, Jinting & Xu, Zhigang & Liu, Peng, 2022. "Rumors in the air? Exploring public misconceptions about automated vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 237-252.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:156:y:2022:i:c:p:237-252
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2022.01.003
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