Investigating end-user acceptance of autonomous electric buses to accelerate diffusion

• Published in: Transportation research. Part D, Transport and environment Vol. 74; pp. 255 - 276
• Main Authors: Herrenkind, Bernd, Brendel, Alfred Benedikt, Nastjuk, Ilja, Greve, Maike, Kolbe, Lutz M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2019
• Subjects: Alternative fuel vehicles; Autonomous driving; Autonomous electric buses; Sustainable mobility; Technology acceptance model; Autonomous electric buses; Technology acceptance model; Autonomous driving; Alternative fuel vehicles; Sustainable mobility
• ISSN: 1361-9209; 1879-2340
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2019.08.003

•The study aims at identifying the relevant factors influencing individual acceptance of alternative fuel vehicles with regard to autonomous driving.•Individual differences, social impacts, and system characteristics were found to determine individual acceptance of an Autonomous Electric Bus (AEB).•For example, the individual factor trust in autonomous driving directly influences the intention to use an AEB, while in comparison the social factor image has a direct influence on perceived usefulness and therefore indirectly influences the attitude towards using and the intention to use an AEB.•The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of accounting for individual perceptions in deriving policy implications and therein for a better diffusion of autonomous driving alternative fuel vehicles. To achieve the widespread diffusion of autonomous electric buses (AEBs) and thus harness their environmental potential, a broad acceptance of new technology-based mobility concepts must be fostered. Still, there remains little known about the factors determining their acceptance, especially in the combination of vehicles with alternative fuels and autonomous driving modes, as is the case with AEBs. In this study, we first conducted qualitative research to identify relevant factors influencing individual acceptance of autonomously driven electric buses. We then developed a comprehensive research model that was validated through a survey of 268 passengers of an AEB, operated in regular road traffic in Germany. The results indicate that a mix of individual factors, social impacts, and system characteristics determine an individual’s acceptance of AEBs. Notably, it is important that users perceive AEBs, not only as advantageous, but also trustworthy, enjoyable, and in a positive social light. Our research supplements the existing corpora by demonstrating the importance of individual acceptance and incorporating it to derive policy implications.