User experience of a self-driving minibus - reflecting vision, state and development needs of automated driving in public transport

Abstract

Beside sharing, electrification of drives, and on-demand operations, the idea of using automated vehicles (AV) in public transport is one building block that is often included in conceptions of a sustainable and efficient future mobility system. If successfully implemented, it could allow new public transportation services where this is not economically feasible at present. The success of such services will crucially depend on their use by the population, which is in turn determined by perceptions of their usefulness, ease of use, safety, and attractiveness. We provide insights on user perceptions of an urban self-driving minibus service in the project HEAT (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation) from the second phase of pilot operation in 2021. Based on data from passenger surveys (n = 446) that were conducted directly after the ride, we analyse the status of progress and identify further development needs from a user perspective. Results show positive attitudes towards using driverless vehicles in public transport, but also a need to further improve system performance in order to create a viable mobility alternative. We point out and discuss measures how performance could be increased.