CCAT Research on Traveler Intention to Ride in Autonomous Vehicles Published in ‘Transportation’

Debby Bezzina and Lisa Losada Rojas in front of a poster at the 2020 TRB Annual Meeting — CCAT Researcher, Lisa Lorena Losada Rojas, and Managing Director, Debby Bezzina, and the 2020 TRB Annual Meeting

Research from CCAT consortium member, Purdue University, has been published in the Transportation journal. ‘A multi‑group analysis of the behavioral intention to ride in autonomous vehicles: evidence from three U.S. metropolitan areas’ was officially accepted on November 30, 2021. This paper is part of the CCAT-funded research project, Behavioral Intention to Ride in an Autonomous Vehicle and Implications on Mode Choice Decisions, Energy Use, and Emissions. The authors include Christos Gkartzonikas, Lisa Lorena Losada-Rojas, Sharon Christ, V. Dimitra Pyrialakou, and Konstantina Gkritza.

The paper proposes a theoretical model to assess the factors that influence users’ intention to ride in autonomous vehicles (AVs). The model includes influential components such as driving-related sensation seeking, safety perceptions, environmental concerns, and affinity to innovativeness. Data was collected via surveys, targeting adults based in three metropolitan areas: Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, and Phoenix, AZ. In general, the research findings reinforce the need for wider testing of AV technology in urban areas along with public education campaigns to harvest public awareness and acceptance. According to their website, Transportation, focuses on issues of relevance to the formulation of policy, the preparation and evaluation of plans, and the day-to-day operational management of transport systems. Those interested in learning more about the research paper can read it here.