Social insights into sustainable adoption of shared autonomous vehicles: Generational perspectives and travel habits in shared trips

The adoption of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is expected to reshape travel behaviors and spatial patterns, with significant societal implications. In this transition, individual and social values are critical for the sustainable uptake of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs), particularly when trips are shared (i.e., pooled) among multiple users. However, strong dependence on and emotional attachment to private cars remain key barriers to adopting shared mobility systems. This study examines how generational values, social factors, and travel habits influence willingness to adopt SAVs for shared trips—an essential component of sustainable transport transitions aimed at inclusivity, reduced emissions, and efficient resource use. Adopting a qualitative exploratory approach, four focus groups conducted in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area reveal how life-stage experiences and social values shape openness to shared automated mobility. The findings highlight how social considerations, personal preferences, and habitual travel routines affect willingness to adopt shared SAV trips. Key insights include: (1) current travel experiences and emotional attachments shape openness to future SAV use; (2) gaps between public discourse and user perceptions underscore the need for clearer communication; (3) personalized ridesharing enhances comfort while raising equity concerns; and (4) generational differences suggest that SAV systems must adapt to diverse mobility needs across life stages. While based on a small, urban, and relatively homogeneous sample, the study offers first-order insights that advance understanding of social acceptance and inform a sustainable and inclusive SAV research and implementation agenda.