User Perceptions of Robotaxis and Mode Choice Among Robotaxi, Transit, and Ridesharing

Robotaxi services have gained popularity in early adopter cities. What remains unclear is who uses robotaxis and why, and how passengers choose between robotaxis and other modes. By providing an on-demand, door-to-door service that could be cheaper than conventional ridesharing, robotaxis could lead to higher vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and lower transit ridership. A better understanding of user perceptions of robotaxis and how the service might affect mode choice could inform strategies to ensure the transport system is efficient. We collected an online survey of 411 robotaxi users in Phoenix and San Francisco in the US, and used descriptive statistics and mixed logit models to analyze user attitudes toward robotaxis and their impact on ridesharing services and transit, and user preferences when choosing among robotaxis, ridesharing, and transit. Results showed that robotaxis replaced ridesharing and transit. Respondents were receptive to robotaxi expansion. Respondents’ likelihood of choosing robotaxis was related to gender, income, and educational attainment. Respondents considered the time spent traveling in robotaxis to be less burdensome than that spent traveling in transit or ridesharing vehicles. Our findings highlighted the need to enhance the travel experience of female transit riders, the need to prepare for increased VMT, and the challenges facing transit agencies to retain ridership amid competition from robotaxis.