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Public Acceptance of Automated Driving Vehicles – Findings from Simulator Experiments and Surveys
The topic of this thesis is to investigate the public opinion on AVs by means of surveys and simulator experiments. In particular, the people’s acceptance and intention to use automated driving vehicles with different functionalities operating in various conditions and driving scenarios.
Keywords: Automated driving; Public acceptance; Simulator Experiments; Surveys; Statistical models
The topic of this thesis is to investigate the public opinion on automated driving vehicles (AVs)
by means of surveys and simulator experiments. In particular, results will provide insights on the people’s acceptance and intention to use automated driving vehicles with different functionalities operating in various conditions and driving scenarios.
Previous work has largely focused on capturing public acceptance via online surveys. Surveys have been successful in revealing information about people’s intentions to use AVs; yet, as participants were requested to express their thoughts on driving scenarios, functionalities, and conditions that they had never experienced before, findings shall be interpreted with caution. In addition, limited work has investigated public beliefs on AVs using evidence from simulator experiments or field operational tests. Results have added to our knowledge on the people’s disposition on AVs despite the often lack of realism (e.g., automated driving experience on public roads in very low speeds).
Focusing on the aspects of perceived safety and trust, this thesis aims to shed light on the opinion of individuals on AVs after experiencing automated driving (SAE Level 3 – Level 5) in a driving simulator. Urban, rural and highway driving environment will be tested, while participants will also communicate their opinion on the different driving styles and set-ups by means of survey questionnaire. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology are among the tools to interpret the findings.
Results are anticipated to support researchers, policy makers and other actors interested in the development and deployment of AVs to understand the public’s viewpoint and intention to use AVs, and to provide guidelines for the successful integration of AVs on the public roads.
Promising candidates have a strong background in statistics. They are willing to engage with the relevant literature, conduct surveys, design and carry out experiments using vehicle simulator technologies. A background in transportation modelling, and familiarity with simulator experiments are no prerequisites, but helpful.
The thesis is to be performed within the Risk and Human Reliability Group at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The topic of this thesis is to investigate the public opinion on automated driving vehicles (AVs) by means of surveys and simulator experiments. In particular, results will provide insights on the people’s acceptance and intention to use automated driving vehicles with different functionalities operating in various conditions and driving scenarios. Previous work has largely focused on capturing public acceptance via online surveys. Surveys have been successful in revealing information about people’s intentions to use AVs; yet, as participants were requested to express their thoughts on driving scenarios, functionalities, and conditions that they had never experienced before, findings shall be interpreted with caution. In addition, limited work has investigated public beliefs on AVs using evidence from simulator experiments or field operational tests. Results have added to our knowledge on the people’s disposition on AVs despite the often lack of realism (e.g., automated driving experience on public roads in very low speeds). Focusing on the aspects of perceived safety and trust, this thesis aims to shed light on the opinion of individuals on AVs after experiencing automated driving (SAE Level 3 – Level 5) in a driving simulator. Urban, rural and highway driving environment will be tested, while participants will also communicate their opinion on the different driving styles and set-ups by means of survey questionnaire. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology are among the tools to interpret the findings. Results are anticipated to support researchers, policy makers and other actors interested in the development and deployment of AVs to understand the public’s viewpoint and intention to use AVs, and to provide guidelines for the successful integration of AVs on the public roads. Promising candidates have a strong background in statistics. They are willing to engage with the relevant literature, conduct surveys, design and carry out experiments using vehicle simulator technologies. A background in transportation modelling, and familiarity with simulator experiments are no prerequisites, but helpful. The thesis is to be performed within the Risk and Human Reliability Group at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Focusing on the aspects of perceived safety and trust, this thesis aims to shed light on the opinion of individuals on AVs after experiencing automated driving (SAE Level 3 – Level 5) in a driving simulator. Urban, rural and highway driving environment will be tested, while participants will also communicate their opinion on the different driving styles and set-ups by means of survey questionnaire.
Results will provide insights on the people’s acceptance and intention to use automated driving vehicles with different functionalities operating in various conditions and driving scenarios.
Further, results are anticipated to support researchers, policy makers and other actors interested in the development and deployment of AVs to understand the public’s viewpoint and intention to use AVs, and to provide guidelines for the successful integration of AVs on the public roads.
Focusing on the aspects of perceived safety and trust, this thesis aims to shed light on the opinion of individuals on AVs after experiencing automated driving (SAE Level 3 – Level 5) in a driving simulator. Urban, rural and highway driving environment will be tested, while participants will also communicate their opinion on the different driving styles and set-ups by means of survey questionnaire. Results will provide insights on the people’s acceptance and intention to use automated driving vehicles with different functionalities operating in various conditions and driving scenarios. Further, results are anticipated to support researchers, policy makers and other actors interested in the development and deployment of AVs to understand the public’s viewpoint and intention to use AVs, and to provide guidelines for the successful integration of AVs on the public roads.
Interested students are encouraged to submit their application to Dr. Miltos Kyriakidis, or/and Prof. Jaka Sodnik*, including a resume, courses list, and current grades.
* e-mail: miltiadis.kyriakidis@psi.ch / jaka.sodnik@fe.uni-lj.si
Interested students are encouraged to submit their application to Dr. Miltos Kyriakidis, or/and Prof. Jaka Sodnik*, including a resume, courses list, and current grades.