A mixed-method approach for assessing passengers’ perspectives of autonomous urban ferries

Abstract

Autonomous urban ferries may become a new solution for future urban public transport. The perception of users and their attitudes plays a vital role in the acceptance and use of autonomous technologies. In this method article, we present a mixed-method approach to assess users’ perspectives on autonomous urban ferries. The method is based on citizen engagement and consists of four sessions with a broad range of representative public transport users. The sessions are (1) information and table discussions, (2) an immersive virtual mixed-reality simulation of a ferry trip in a full-scale ferry mock-up, (3) a ferry trip onboard a working autonomous prototype ferry, and (4) reflective table discussions. The method collects rich and multidimensional data which can be used to inform researchers and practitioners on how to study passengers’ perspectives on public autonomous transport solutions.