IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/transp/v50y2023i2d10.1007_s11116-021-10253-w.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A theoretical investigation of user acceptance of autonomous public transport

Author

Listed:
  • Kum Fai Yuen

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University)

  • Ling Qian Choo

    (Public Utilities Board)

  • Xue Li

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University)

  • Yiik Diew Wong

    (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University)

  • Fei Ma

    (Chang’An University)

  • Xueqin Wang

    (Chung-Ang University)

Abstract

Achieving a critical mass in the acceptance of fully autonomous public transport (APT) is crucial for a society to effectively realise APT’s intended environmental, social and economic benefits. The current study analyses the determinants contributing to user acceptance of APT through three theoretical lenses, namely, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Perceived Value Theory and Social Exchange Theory. Survey data were collected from 476 commuters in Beijing, China. The results reveal that the five dimensions of UTAUT (i.e. performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and hedonic motivation) have positive influence on users’ value perception of APT. Consequently, users’ value perception of APT exerts both direct and indirect influences on users’ acceptance of APT via trust. A key contribution of this study is the combination and synthesis of several complementary behavioural theories to explain user acceptance of autonomous vehicles. In addition, the results offer important implications for transport policymakers and operators, in particular, pertaining to areas on resource allocation, marketing, communication and education to improve user acceptance of APT.

Suggested Citation

  • Kum Fai Yuen & Ling Qian Choo & Xue Li & Yiik Diew Wong & Fei Ma & Xueqin Wang, 2023. "A theoretical investigation of user acceptance of autonomous public transport," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 545-569, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:transp:v:50:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s11116-021-10253-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11116-021-10253-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11116-021-10253-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11116-021-10253-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adrian Payne & Pennie Frow & Andreas Eggert, 2017. "The customer value proposition: evolution, development, and application in marketing," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 467-489, July.
    2. Calin Iclodean & Nicolae Cordos & Bogdan Ovidiu Varga, 2020. "Autonomous Shuttle Bus for Public Transportation: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-45, June.
    3. Yuen, Kum Fai & Wang, Xueqin & Ma, Fei & Wong, Yiik Diew, 2019. "The determinants of customers’ intention to use smart lockers for last-mile deliveries," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 316-326.
    4. Liu, Feiqi & Zhao, Fuquan & Liu, Zongwei & Hao, Han, 2019. "Can autonomous vehicle reduce greenhouse gas emissions? A country-level evaluation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 462-473.
    5. Samuel Chng & Lynette Cheah, 2020. "Understanding Autonomous Road Public Transport Acceptance: A Study of Singapore," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-12, June.
    6. Penmetsa, Praveena & Adanu, Emmanuel Kofi & Wood, Dustin & Wang, Teng & Jones, Steven L., 2019. "Perceptions and expectations of autonomous vehicles – A snapshot of vulnerable road user opinion," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 9-13.
    7. 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.
    8. Felix Becker & Kay W. Axhausen, 2017. "Literature review on surveys investigating the acceptance of automated vehicles," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(6), pages 1293-1306, November.
    9. Paddeu, Daniela & Shergold, Ian & Parkhurst, Graham, 2020. "The social perspective on policy towards local shared autonomous vehicle services (LSAVS)," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 116-126.
    10. Margareta Friman & Katrin Lättman & Lars E. Olsson, 2020. "Public Transport Quality, Safety, and Perceived Accessibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-14, April.
    11. Christina Pakusch & Gunnar Stevens & Alexander Boden & Paul Bossauer, 2018. "Unintended Effects of Autonomous Driving: A Study on Mobility Preferences in the Future," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
    12. 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).
    13. Roy, Sanjit Kumar & Shekhar, Vaibhav & Lassar, Walfried M. & Chen, Tom, 2018. "Customer engagement behaviors: The role of service convenience, fairness and quality," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 293-304.
    14. Hudson, John & Orviska, Marta & Hunady, Jan, 2019. "People’s attitudes to autonomous vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 164-176.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Xing, Yingying & Zhou, Huiyu & Han, Xiao & Zhang, Meng & Lu, Jian, 2022. "What influences vulnerable road users’ perceptions of autonomous vehicles? A comparative analysis of the 2017 and 2019 Pittsburgh surveys," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Samuel Chng & Sabreena Anowar & Lynette Cheah, 2022. "Understanding Shared Autonomous Vehicle Preferences: A Comparison between Shuttles, Buses, Ridesharing and Taxis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Jen Sim Ho & Booi Chen Tan & Teck Chai Lau & Nasreen Khan, 2023. "Public Acceptance towards Emerging Autonomous Vehicle Technology: A Bibliometric Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Tianpei Tang & Xiwei Wang & Jianbing Wu & Meining Yuan & Yuntao Guo & Xunqian Xu, 2022. "Determinants and the Moderating Effects of Individual Characteristics on Autonomous Vehicle Adoption in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene & Bülent Yıldız & Şemsettin Çiğdem & Renata Činčikaitė, 2021. "Do People Prefer Cars That People Don’t Drive? A Survey Study on Autonomous Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    6. Nastjuk, Ilja & Herrenkind, Bernd & Marrone, Mauricio & Brendel, Alfred Benedikt & Kolbe, Lutz M., 2020. "What drives the acceptance of autonomous driving? An investigation of acceptance factors from an end-user's perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    7. Jebarajakirthy, Charles & Shankar, Amit, 2021. "Impact of online convenience on mobile banking adoption intention: A moderated mediation approach," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    8. Lindgren, Thomas & Pink, Sarah & Fors, Vaike, 2021. "Fore-sighting autonomous driving - An Ethnographic approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    9. Weina Qu & Hongli Sun & Yan Ge, 2021. "The effects of trait anxiety and the big five personality traits on self-driving car acceptance," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2663-2679, October.
    10. Zohreh Asadi-Shekari & Ismaïl Saadi & Mario Cools, 2022. "Applying Machine Learning to Explore Feelings about Sharing the Road with Autonomous Vehicles as a Bicyclist or as a Pedestrian," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-10, February.
    11. Li, Xiaomeng & Pooyan Afghari, Amir & Oviedo-Trespalacios, Oscar & Kaye, Sherrie-Anne & Haworth, Narelle, 2023. "Cyclists perception and self-reported behaviour towards interacting with fully automated vehicles," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    12. Wang, Fei & Zhang, Zhentai & Lin, Shoufu, 2023. "Purchase intention of Autonomous vehicles and industrial Policies: Evidence from a national survey in China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    13. Kum Fai Yuen & Grace Chua & Xueqin Wang & Fei Ma & Kevin X. Li, 2020. "Understanding Public Acceptance of Autonomous Vehicles Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    14. Kassens-Noor, Eva & Kotval-Karamchandani, Zeenat & Cai, Meng, 2020. "Willingness to ride and perceptions of autonomous public transit," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 92-104.
    15. Roberto Battistini & Luca Mantecchini & Maria Nadia Postorino, 2020. "Users’ Acceptance of Connected and Automated Shuttles for Tourism Purposes: A Survey Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-17, December.
    16. Vij, Akshay & Ryan, Stacey & Sampson, Spring & Harris, Susan, 2020. "Consumer preferences for on-demand transport in Australia," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 823-839.
    17. Xiaobei Jiang & Wenlin Yu & Wenjie Li & Jiawen Guo & Xizheng Chen & Hongwei Guo & Wuhong Wang & Tao Chen, 2021. "Factors Affecting the Acceptance and Willingness-to-Pay of End-Users: A Survey Analysis on Automated Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, November.
    18. Wu, Min & Wang, Nanxi & Yuen, Kum Fai, 2023. "Can autonomy level and anthropomorphic characteristics affect public acceptance and trust towards shared autonomous vehicles?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    19. Ali Alamdar Moghaddam & Hamid Mirzahossein & Robert Guzik, 2022. "Comparing Inequality in Future Urban Transport Modes by Doughnut Economy Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-24, November.
    20. Jiang, Yi & Lai, Po-Lin & Yang, Ching-Chiao & Wang, Xinchen, 2023. "Exploring the factors that drive consumers to use contactless delivery services in the context of the continued COVID-19 pandemic," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

    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:kap:transp:v:50:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s11116-021-10253-w. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.