Assessing the feasibility of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting drivers' intentions to operate conditional and full automated vehicles. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaye, Sherrie-Anne; Lewis, Ioni; Buckley, Lisa; Rakotonirainy, Andry
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 74(2020)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Automated vehicles -- Psychosocial theory -- Behavioural beliefs -- Control beliefs; Automobile drivers -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Automobile driving -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 629.283019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2020.08.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8478

Abstract

Highlights: Applied the TPB to assess drivers' beliefs towards two levels of automation. Attitudes and subjective norms were positive predictors to of intentions use AVs. Having control over Level 3 AV was identified as an advantage. Not being in control of Level 5 AV was identified as a disadvantage. Drivers' reported the same barriers for intentions to use Level 3 and Level 5 AVs. Abstract: Guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), this study examined the beliefs underpinning, and feasibility of the factors in predicting, individuals' intentions to use a conditional (Level 3) automated vehicle (AV) and a full (Level 5) AV. Australian drivers ( N = 505) aged 17–81 years (Mean age = 33.69, SD = 18.79) were recruited and completed a 20 min online survey which featured both quantitative and qualitative items. For the quantitative data, two linear regressions revealed that the TPB standard constructs of attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control (PBC) accounted for 66% of the variance in intentions to use a conditional AV and 68% of the variance in intentions to use a full AV. Of the TPB constructs, attitudes and subjective norms were significant positive predictors of future intentions to use conditional and full AVs. For the qualitative data, some differences emerged for the underlying behavioural beliefs that underpinned intentions to use conditional and full AVs. For example, having beliefs about control over the conditional AV was identified by many participants as an advantage, while not being in full control of the full AV was identified as a disadvantage. For underlying control beliefs, participants identified similar barriers for both vehicle types, including; high costs, lack of trust, lack of control over the vehicle, lack of current legislation to support the mainstream introduction of these vehicles, and concerns of safety for self and for other road users when operating AVs. Overall, these findings provide some support for applying the TPB to understand drivers' intended use of AVs. However, while the current study showed that the constructs of attitudes and subjective norms might reflect intended use of AVs, more research is required to further examine the role of PBC. Additionally, the findings provide initial insights into the underlying behavioural and control beliefs that may motivate drivers to use AVs and highlight the similarities and differences in drivers' perceptions towards two levels of vehicle automation.