IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i18p4986-d266599.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Driverless Bus: An Analysis of Public Perceptions and Acceptability

Author

Listed:
  • M. Eugenia López-Lambas

    (Civil Engineering School, Department of Transport Engineering, Urban and Regional Planning, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Andrea Alonso

    (School of Architecture, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) holds a high potential for improving security, reducing congestion, increasing fuel efficiency, and saving time. Various studies conducted on the implementation of AVs predict that fully autonomous vehicles will be available for the public in the 2020s. However, it will take another three decades, at least, for these vehicles and technologies to be accepted among the general masses and become reliable and affordable for use. Nonetheless, while a great deal has been stated regarding autonomous cars, little attention has been paid to autonomous public transport, more specifically, autonomous buses (ABs). The present report analyzed the psychological barriers preventing the complete implementation of ABs through data collected from focus group (FG) discussions. The main objective of the FGs was to determine the factors influencing perceptions regarding ABs and their acceptability. The most important factors from the positive side were the reduction of personnel costs, the potential to decrease congestion, waiting time at intersections, and reduced emissions. On the other hand, the most important negative factors were an increase in vehicle and infrastructure costs, safety risks under certain conditions (e.g., system failures, terrorist attacks, etc.), and the possible reduction of employment opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Eugenia López-Lambas & Andrea Alonso, 2019. "The Driverless Bus: An Analysis of Public Perceptions and Acceptability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4986-:d:266599
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/18/4986/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/18/4986/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Arto O Salonen & Noora Haavisto, 2019. "Towards Autonomous Transportation. Passengers’ Experiences, Perceptions and Feelings in a Driverless Shuttle Bus in Finland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Peng Jing & Hao Huang & Bin Ran & Fengping Zhan & Yuji Shi, 2019. "Exploring the Factors Affecting Mode Choice Intention of Autonomous Vehicle Based on an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior—A Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Abe, Ryosuke, 2019. "Introducing autonomous buses and taxis: Quantifying the potential benefits in Japanese transportation systems," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 94-113.
    4. Bösch, Patrick M. & Becker, Felix & Becker, Henrik & Axhausen, Kay W., 2018. "Cost-based analysis of autonomous mobility services," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 76-91.
    5. Jaagup Ainsalu & Ville Arffman & Mauro Bellone & Maximilian Ellner & Taina Haapamäki & Noora Haavisto & Ebba Josefson & Azat Ismailogullari & Bob Lee & Olav Madland & Raitis Madžulis & Jaanus Müür & S, 2018. "State of the Art of Automated Buses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-34, August.
    6. Emily C. Anania & Stephen Rice & Scott R. Winter & Mattie N. Milner & Nathan W. Walters & Matthew Pierce, 2018. "Why People Are Not Willing to Let Their Children Ride in Driverless School Buses: A Gender and Nationality Comparison," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-17, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wei-Hsi Hung & Yao-Tang Hsu, 2020. "Service Quality and Service Gap of Autonomous Driving Group Rapid Transit System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Márk Miskolczi & Melinda Jászberényi & Dávid Tóth, 2021. "Technology-Enhanced Airport Services—Attractiveness from the Travelers’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    3. L. Samková, 2023. "Management of integrated passenger transport system and its role in tourism development," Economics Working Papers 2023-03, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Economics.
    4. Mehdi Zarehparast Malekzadeh & Francisco Enrique Santarremigia & Gemma Dolores Molero & Ashwani Kumar Malviya & Rosa Arroyo & Tomás Ruiz Sánchez, 2023. "A Methodological Framework Based on a Quantitative Assessment of New Technologies to Boost the Interoperability of Railways Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, July.
    5. Peng Jing & Gang Xu & Yuexia Chen & Yuji Shi & Fengping Zhan, 2020. "The Determinants behind the Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Peng Jing & Gang Xu & Yuexia Chen & Yuji Shi & Fengping Zhan, 2020. "The Determinants behind the Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Hörcher, Daniel & Tirachini, Alejandro, 2021. "A review of public transport economics," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    3. Sönke Beckmann & Sebastian Trojahn & Hartmut Zadek, 2023. "Process Model for the Introduction of Automated Buses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-36, September.
    4. Tirachini, Alejandro & Antoniou, Constantinos, 2020. "The economics of automated public transport: Effects on operator cost, travel time, fare and subsidy," Economics of Transportation, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    5. Badia, Hugo & Jenelius, Erik, 2021. "Design and operation of feeder systems in the era of automated and electric buses," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 146-172.
    6. Wei Luo & Silong Wei & Yi Wang & Pengpeng Jiao, 2023. "People’s Intentions to Use Shared Autonomous Vehicles: An Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Simone Pettigrew & Leon Booth & Victoria Farrar & Branislava Godic & Julie Brown & Charles Karl & Jason Thompson, 2022. "Walking in the Era of Autonomous Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-13, August.
    8. Jiang, Like & Chen, Haibo & Paschalidis, Evangelos, 2023. "Diffusion of connected and autonomous vehicles concerning mode choice, policy interventions and sustainability impacts: A system dynamics modelling study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 274-290.
    9. Epting, Shane, 2021. "Ethical requirements for transport systems with automated buses," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    10. Andreja Pucihar & Iztok Zajc & Radovan Sernec & Gregor Lenart, 2019. "Living Lab as an Ecosystem for Development, Demonstration and Assessment of Autonomous Mobility Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-21, July.
    11. Rich, Jeppe & Seshadri, Ravi & Jomeh, Ali Jamal & Clausen, Sofus Rasmus, 2023. "Fixed routing or demand-responsive? Agent-based modelling of autonomous first and last mile services in light-rail systems," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    12. Alberto Dianin & Elisa Ravazzoli & Georg Hauger, 2021. "Implications of Autonomous Vehicles for Accessibility and Transport Equity: A Framework Based on Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    13. Márk Miskolczi & Melinda Jászberényi & Dávid Tóth, 2021. "Technology-Enhanced Airport Services—Attractiveness from the Travelers’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, January.
    14. Fabio Antonialli & Sylvie Mira-Bonnardel & Julie Bulteau, 2021. "Economic Assessment of Services with Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles: EASI-AV," Post-Print hal-04369852, HAL.
    15. Kenichiro Chinen & Yang Sun & Mitsutaka Matsumoto & Yoon-Young Chun, 2020. "Towards a Sustainable Society through Emerging Mobility Services: A Case of Autonomous Buses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-20, November.
    16. Hatzenbühler, Jonas & Cats, Oded & Jenelius, Erik, 2020. "Transitioning towards the deployment of line-based autonomous buses: Consequences for service frequency and vehicle capacity," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 491-507.
    17. Limin Tan & Changxi Ma & Xuecai Xu & Jin Xu, 2019. "Choice Behavior of Autonomous Vehicles Based on Logistic Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-16, December.
    18. Marco R. Barassi & Gianluigi De Pascale & Raffaele Lagravinese, 2021. "Testing the law of one-price in the US gasoline market: a long memory approach," SERIES 03-2021, Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza - Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", revised Jun 2021.
    19. Bridgelall, Raj & Stubbing, Edward, 2021. "Forecasting the effects of autonomous vehicles on land use," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    20. Shyue Chuan Chong & Foong Yee Tan & Pei Yew Mah & Choon Wei Low, 2020. "Consumers¡¯ Purchase Intention Toward Ergonomic Footwear in Malaysia," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 11(2), pages 88-96, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:18:p:4986-:d:266599. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.