Modeling public acceptance of private autonomous vehicles: Value of time and motion sickness viewpoints. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zou, Xin; Logan, David B.; Vu, Hai L.
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 137(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Autonomous vehicles -- Public acceptance -- Value of time -- Motion sickness -- Perceived risk; Transportation -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; 388.011
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trc.2021.103548
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-090X

Abstract

Highlights: 79% of respondents expressed a willingness to use their time more efficiently for work or study in an AV. Feeling unsafe and fearing carsickness are the top two reasons for not being willing to work or study in an AV. Willingness to use time more efficiently in an AV had a positive effect on behavioral intention to use AVs. Perceived value of time and perceived risk had negative effects on behavioral intention to use AVs. The negative effect of perceived value of time on behavioral intention is greater for those middle-aged and older. Abstract: Autonomous vehicles (AVs) offer the opportunity to achieve safe, efficient, accessible, affordable and productive transportation, while also enhancing the mobility of vulnerable groups. Nevertheless, the benefits associated with AVs can only be realized when the mass public have the intention to make use of this technology. This study aims to examine the impacts of several factors on general acceptance of AVs including perceived AV motion sickness, willingness to use time more efficiently in an AV, perceived value of time and perceived risk using private SAE Level-5 AVs, as well as the interrelationships between these factors. Using a sample of 1, 418 respondents, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the proposed structural model. Results revealed that perceived value of time, perceived risk and willingness to use time more efficiently in an AV significantly affected the behavioral intention. Results from multi-group analysis showed that participant age also played a role in behavioral intention via the perceived value of time. It is hoped that the findings of this study can help AV policymakers and developers better understand the role that the studied factors play in shaping public intentions to use AVs.