A world of fully autonomous mobility options: On long-distance travel mode choice

Abstract

What might long-distance travel behaviour look like in a world of fully autonomous mobility options? Within this context, which of the transportation options, including autonomous cars, pilotless planes, driverless trains, and driverless buses would people choose for their long-distance travel? We examine the extent to which people's attitudes towards fully autonomous mobility options, habits, and the level of satisfaction with current travel modes, as well as individual and socioeconomic variables, influence the choice/preference for fully autonomous modes. Data for this study were collected through an online survey (n = 811). A choice model was used to analyse the effects of attitudinal factors and other variables on the probability of choosing four fully autonomous alternatives. The results of the model show that (1) the preferred order of autonomous mobility options is: Autonomous Car (AC), Autonomous Train (AT), Autonomous Flight (AF), and Autonomous Bus (AB), (2) AT was evaluated the safest, most relaxing, and most economical alternative, and (3) both attitudes and habit influence the choice of fully autonomous vehicles. However, sensitivity analyses show that attitudes will have a greater impact on travel behaviour compared to habits. Policy-wise, a demographically differentiated campaign for changing attitudes can be employed.