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Perceived usefulness and intentions to adopt autonomous vehicles

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  • Xiao, Jingyi
  • Goulias, Konstadinos G.

Abstract

Understanding the mental process of public acceptance of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is important to the prediction and change of adoption behavior. We present a conceptual model to incorporate background factors such as demographic variables and travel behaviors attributes to the understanding of AV perceived usefulness and intention to adopt AVs. Using data from the 2019 California Vehicle Survey (CVS), we investigate the relationships between observed and latent variables with regard to AV acceptance via structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results show that perceived usefulness is an important determinant of behavioral intention. Householders who are young, well-educated, and males perceive higher usefulness of AVs than other population segments. Households that have telecommuters, transit riders, transportation network company (TNC; e.g., Uber & Lyft) riders, and electric vehicles (EVs) owners, and households that own or plan to install photovoltaic cell (solar) panels also anticipate high benefits of AVs. Living or working at places with access to infrastructure such as EV charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations also add to positive perception of AVs’ advantages. Controlling for perceived usefulness, households having higher annual income and EVs express a stronger interest in buying an AV but not in ridesharing. Young educated households with more TNC riders show a greater propensity to AV sharing services but not for owning AVs. The proposed conceptual model can help pinpoint how background factors such as socioeconomic status affects behavioral intention via its antecedent cognitive construct more accurately to represent the mental process of intention formation. The practical discoveries can assist policymakers identifying population segments that will be the first adopters of this technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao, Jingyi & Goulias, Konstadinos G., 2022. "Perceived usefulness and intentions to adopt autonomous vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 170-185.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:161:y:2022:i:c:p:170-185
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2022.05.007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Chang, Chia-Hsun & Lin, Chi-Chang & Yang, Zaili & Kontovas, Christos, 2024. "Evaluating the social acceptance of autonomous ferries: An observation from passengers’ boarding willingness," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 83-94.
    3. Charli Sitinjak & Zurinah Tahir & Mohd Ekhwan Toriman & Novel Lyndon & Vladimir Simic & Charles Musselwhite & Wiyanti Fransisca Simanullang & Firdaus Mohamad Hamzah, 2023. "Assessing Public Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles for Smart and Sustainable Public Transportation in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Jakarta, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-20, April.
    4. Islam, Nazrul & Rakshit, Sandip & Paul, Tripti, 2025. "Antecedents and consequences of social robots adoption for SMEs - Reimaging emerging technologies in the context of the new normal," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    5. Koh, Le Yi & Yuen, Kum Fai, 2023. "Public acceptance of autonomous vehicles: Examining the joint influence of perceived vehicle performance and intelligent in-vehicle interaction quality," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    6. Sharda, S. & Garikapati, V.M. & Goulias, K.G. & Reyna, J.L. & Sun, B. & Spurlock, C.A. & Needell, Z., 2024. "The electric vehicles-solar photovoltaics Nexus: Driving cross-sectoral adoption of sustainable technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    7. Md. Mokhlesur Rahman & Jean-Claude Thill, 2023. "What Drives People’s Willingness to Adopt Autonomous Vehicles? A Review of Internal and External Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-29, July.
    8. Zhu, Ge & Chen, Yuche & Zheng, Jiali, 2024. "Partially autonomous vehicles (PAVs) vs. fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs): A comparative study with adoption models," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    9. Acharya, Sailesh & Mekker, Michelle, 2024. "Acceptance and demand of autonomous vehicles for long-distance recreational travel: An investigation based on a survey of visitors to US national parks," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).

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