What influences intention to use a first-mile/last-mile automated shuttle service in a suburban area? A case study in Toronto, Canada

We surveyed the public in 2021 about a temporary first-mile/last-mile (FMLM) automated shuttle trial (planned for operation on public roads) in Toronto, Canada, before its deployment for public use. Our objectives were to investigate predictors of intention-to-use in a mixed traffic context in Canada and whether factors affecting the likelihood of trying the shuttle differed from those affecting the intended frequency of use. Our results showed that higher perceived usefulness, positive attitude towards the service, and higher trust in the shuttle capabilities significantly predicted both measures, but age was a significant (negative) predictor only for the intended frequency of use. This difference in demographic effects for the two examined measures suggests that future research should assess intention-to-use in more detail. Our results can also inform strategies to promote future automated shuttle trials. For example, informational campaigns to promote trust in the shuttle’s capabilities and highlight the benefits of the service may improve intention-to-use.