Generational Differences Among Users of Self-Driving Vehicles

The rapid technological advancement of autonomous vehicles (AVs)—as exemplified by recent research such as Enhancing High-Speed Cruising Performance of Autonomous Vehicles Through Integrated Deep Reinforcement Learning Framework (IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, 2025)—raises pressing societal questions about their acceptance. Although numerous studies have examined attitudes toward autonomous vehicles in recent years, most research is limited to a single country, age group, or small sample. As a result, there is still a lack of empirical analyses comparing multiple generations and conducted on large samples that would provide a comprehensive picture of the age-determining factors of social acceptance of AVs. The present study aims to fill this gap with a questionnaire survey of 8663 people, which examines the trust, technology acceptance, and willingness to use autonomous vehicles among the Baby Boomer, X, Y, Z, and Alpha generations using Likert scale items. We used the Kruskal–Wallis test to explore the differences between generations. Our results show significant differences: while Generations Z and Alpha show remarkable openness and trust in AV technology, the Baby Boomer generation shows marked skepticism. The novelty of the research is that it provides large-scale, multi-generational comparative data, thus shedding light from a new perspective on the cultural, experiential, and trust patterns that determine the social acceptance of autonomous vehicles, beyond technological factors. The limitations of the study include self-reported data collection, geographical limitations (Hungary), and the lack of actual driving experience among the Alpha generation, which may affect the validity of the responses. However, these factors point the way for future international and qualitative research. The results can provide practical guidance for decision-makers, developers, and urban planners in developing inclusive, generation-sensitive transportation policies and communication strategies.