Robotaxis or Autonomous Shuttles? The Role of Urban Representations and Travel Habits in Tomorrow's Mode Choice in France

Salladarré, Frédéric; Le Boënnec, Rémy; Bel, Marlène · 2021 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3828/jtep.2021.55.3.237

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Summary

This study investigates the determinants of public acceptance for two distinct forms of autonomous vehicle (AV) mobility in France: on-demand robotaxis and collective autonomous shuttles. Motivated by the expectation that AVs will significantly alter travel habits, the authors aim to understand how sociodemographic factors, travel habits, and urban representations influence the intention to use these emerging technologies. The research specifically compares individual mobility (robotaxis) against collective mobility (shuttles), noting that while both are expected to reduce congestion and improve safety, their impacts on urban planning and user behavior differ. The authors analyzed data from an original 2017 online survey of 3,297 French respondents. The study employed a simultaneous-equation model to estimate the intention to use robotaxis and autonomous shuttles, treating these intentions as ordered outcomes. The model incorporated sociodemographic variables (age, gender, education), technophilia characteristics, mobility habits (current transport mode), and attitudinal variables. A key methodological component involved factor analysis to derive two dimensions of "urban representation": viewing the city as an instrument for daily activities versus viewing it as a way of life. These representations were modeled as endogenous variables influenced by sociodemographic characteristics. The results indicate that the intention to use autonomous shuttles is significantly higher than that for robotaxis, with approximately 68% of respondents expressing intent to use shuttles compared to 50% for robotaxis. Sociodemographic factors play a distinct role: men and individuals aged 45 and older show a higher probability of accepting both modes, while higher education levels specifically correlate with greater acceptance of autonomous shuttles. Current travel habits are strong predictors; users of public transport and active modes (walking) exhibit higher acceptance of both AV types, whereas those who prefer private cars show lower acceptance. Crucially, urban representations significantly influence mode choice. Viewing the city as a "way of life" positively impacts the intention to use both modes, whereas viewing the city merely as an "instrument" for activities negatively correlates with acceptance. Additionally, respondents in multipolar areas show higher acceptance than those in low-density urban areas. The findings suggest that the deployment of autonomous vehicles cannot rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. The higher acceptance of autonomous shuttles implies they may serve as a more viable complement to existing public transport networks, particularly for first-mile/last-mile connections. The study challenges the simplistic view that AVs will only be accepted in dense urban centers, highlighting the potential for deployment in multipolar areas. Furthermore, the strong link between urban representation and AV acceptance indicates that policy interventions should address how citizens perceive their urban environment to foster technology adoption. The results underscore that individual mobility (robotaxis) and collective mobility (shuttles) are not perfect substitutes, with shuttles offering a more environmentally friendly and widely accepted alternative in the French context.

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• acceptance adoption