Driven by trust? Social norms increase trust in shared autonomous public transport

Vassanyi, Sander; Aasvik, Ole; Ulleberg, Pål · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3389/ffutr.2026.1687363

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Summary

This study investigates the psychological mechanisms underlying public acceptance of shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs), specifically focusing on how trust is formed and whether social norms can influence it. The rapid urbanization and potential of SAVs to reduce congestion and emissions are hindered by public skepticism. Trust is identified as a critical determinant of adoption, yet little is known about how to actively shape it in the absence of firsthand experience. The research addresses two primary questions: to what degree trust predicts the intention to use SAVs, and whether static (current consensus) and dynamic (changing trends) social norms can increase subjective trust in these systems. The authors conducted a pre-registered online experimental survey with 1,032 participants, of whom 630 remained after data filtering. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: a control group, a static norm group, or a dynamic norm group. Each condition presented informative vignettes about SAVs, with the intervention groups receiving additional normative statements. The study measured several variables, including propensity to interpersonal trust, propensity to trust automation, technical competence, safety evaluations, subjective trust in SAVs, and intention to use SAVs. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and regression models to test nine specific hypotheses regarding the direct and moderating effects of dispositional trust, the impact of normative framing, and the relationship between safety perceptions and trust. The results demonstrated that both static and dynamic normative framings significantly increased subjective trust in SAVs compared to the control group, though there was no significant difference between the two normative conditions. Propensity to trust, both interpersonal and automation-specific, had direct positive effects on subjective trust but did not moderate the effect of normative framing. Safety evaluation emerged as the strongest predictor of subjective trust. Furthermore, subjective trust was strongly associated with the intention to use SAVs. The findings confirmed that individuals with higher baseline propensities to trust exhibited greater subjective trust in SAVs, supporting the role of dispositional factors in technology acceptance. The study concludes that norm-based interventions providing social cues about others’ trust can effectively shape public attitudes toward SAVs, even without direct experience. However, because safety perceptions remain the paramount predictor of trust, the authors argue that normative strategies should complement, rather than substitute for, efforts to demonstrate and communicate the safety of autonomous public transport. These findings offer actionable recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders, suggesting that combining safety demonstrations with social normative messaging can enhance the adoption of shared autonomous transport systems.

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Topics

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• acceptance adoption
• trust calibration
• trust in automation foundations

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• Empirical Findings: self report data