Key factors associated with Australian parents' willingness to use an automated vehicle to transport their unaccompanied children. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koppel, Sjaan; Lee, Yi-Ching; Hafetz Mirman, Jessica; Peiris, Sujanie; Tremoulet, Patrice
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 78(2021)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Automated vehicle -- Parents -- Child occupant mobility -- Child restraint systems -- Vulnerable road user -- Road safety; Automobile drivers -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Automobile driving -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 629.283019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2021.02.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8478

Abstract

Highlights: Individuals are unlikely use an automated vehicle (AV) to transport their unaccompanied child. Several socio-demographic factors were associated with willingness to use an AV to transport children. Age and education were associated with willingness to use an AV to transport child(ren) unaccompanied. Willingness to use an AV for child transport was associated with technology awareness. Individuals with higher aberrant driving behaviours were more likely to use an AV for transporting children unaccompanied. Abstract: This study aimed to identify the key factors associated with Australian parents' willingness to use an automated vehicle to transport their unaccompanied child(ren). Seven hundred and seventy-five participants completed the online survey (M = 40.7 years, SD = 8.9 years, Range = 18.0–65.0 years; Female: 56.4%). Most participants reported that they would 'never' use an automated vehicle to transport their unaccompanied child(ren) (43.5%). The results of a logistic regression model showed that participants' age, gender, level of education, propensity for technology adoption, aberrant driving behaviours, awareness of advanced driver assistance safety (ADAS) technologies, perceived knowledge regarding automated vehicles, as well their requirements for assurance-related vehicle features were significantly associated with their willingness to use an automated vehicle to transport their unaccompanied child(ren), χ2(12) = 137.41, p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that Australian parents are mostly unwilling to use an automated vehicle to transport their unaccompanied child(ren) unless various reassurance features and technologies (i.e., microphones, camera, ability to summon assistance if the vehicle breaks down) are embedded in the vehicle. Therefore, automated vehicle manufacturers are encouraged to consider these requirements when prototyping their designs so that all user groups, including child occupants, can benefit from the impending arrival of automated technologies.