Research

Project Abstract

AVs offer a practical solution that allows people to travel between infinite pairs of locations, including those that are inaccessible with public and non-motorized transportation (e.g., late at night, far from a bus stop, up a steep hill, or generally inaccessible for people with disabilities). We can improve quality of life and equity for underserved communities (e.g., lower SES or with disabilities) who rely upon the inadequate and unjust options available currently.

To facilitate ridership, we will examine people’s fear and stress associated with riding in an automated vehicle. We will measure skin conductance, heart rate, and cortisol and sAA levels at the beginning middle and end of a sequence of rides, supported by qualitative interview data and survey ratings. People are expected to show an intense fear and uncertainty of AVs that peaks just before the first encounter but declines with experience. Across groups, fear is expected to be higher in non-white and disabled riders than white, able-bodied riders, but is expected to converge with experience in all but the most fearful participants.

To maximize the potential for AVs to improve the substantial problems associated with the equity, environmental impact, and accessibility of transportation, we must solve the human side of the equation. The Study 2 design will be informed by results of the Study 1 intervention from the prior year that aimed to decrease fear and uncertainty surrounding AV rides. Year 2 testing will likely require increasing the sample size of the Study 1 intervention for publication, and follow-up testing to extend the results. For example, we can test people’s tendency to habituate to the fear of AVs after an initial ride, compare individuals from white, educated students to underrepresented groups based on group results in Study 1. If people do not exhibit fear in Study 1, we can move all testing to city streets and include planned challenges, such as short stops and integrate video and/or accelerometer data.

Measures for Study 2 will be as in Study 1, including statistical comparisons with time-series analysis and neural network analysis from multi-channel psychophysiological data recorded from participants during rides with biosensing wearables. We will also continue salivary analysis of cortisol and salivary alpha amylase (sAA) assuming those measures are successful in Study 1. People’s prior experience with AVs can inform willingness to use AVs in the future by re-contacting participants from Study 1 to participate in Study 2 and by adding a measure of volunteer usage of AVs like the May Mobility Shuttle.

Project Outcome

To study people’s fear surrounding autonomous vehicles (AVs), initially and over time, by having human subjects ride in an AV, with the goal of facilitating ridership, particularly in lower SES communities and for people with disabilities, who could most benefit from the technology.