Perceptions of autonomous vehicles among older adults and people with physical disability

• Older adults and people with physical disabilities’ AVs perceptions stem from human-driven vehicles. • PAVs are perceived as more useful and easier to use than human-driven private car. • SAV and APT are seen as less useful and harder to use than human-driven taxis and bus. • Human drivers in taxi and bus provide more than just driving. • Replacing human drivers without considering their various roles could be problematic. Fully Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) capable of performing all driving functions represent a significant advancement in transportation technology. AVs are increasingly regarded as a promising transport solution for older adults and people with physical disabilities. However, previous literature shows that these groups present low intention to use AVs. This contradiction between potential benefits and low intention to use AVs highlights the need for deeper understanding of the factors influencing intention to use amongst these groups, particularly their attitudes. The Technology Acceptance Model suggests attitudes are shaped by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Yet, in-depth research into these group’s perceptions of AVs remains limited. This study explores the underlying beliefs that shape perceptions of private autonomous vehicles (PAVs), shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) and autonomous public transport (APT) among older adults (≥65) and people with physical disabilities in New South Wales, Australia. Based on focus groups, supplemented by interviews, this study found that perceptions are shaped not only by beliefs about AVs themselves, but also by beliefs associated with their human-driven counterparts. The introduction of self-driving technology is perceived as enhancing private transport, making PAVs more useful and easier to use than human-driven private cars. In the shared and public transport contexts, the introduction of self-driving technology is perceived as replacing human elements – assistance, information, reassurance, and supervision – making SAVs and APT less useful and more difficult to use than human-driven taxis and buses. Based on these findings, this study provides recommendations to promote AV acceptance among older adults and people with physical disabilities.