From first ride to regular user: Understanding the factors influencing continuous use intention of autonomous taxis

Abstract

To facilitate the gradual integration of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into society and assess their capabilities, numerous trials of autonomous taxis (ATs) in urban settings are conducted. Experienced consumers’ evaluations of AT rides are vital for the advancement of both the industry and related policies. This study aims to reveal the factors that influence the continuous use intention of ATs. A questionnaire survey was implemented and gathered 600 valid responses from Chinese urban residents who have prior experience riding ATs, encompassing four key aspects: socio-demographic and mobility attributes, perceived satisfaction with AT services, properties of the last AT trip, and AT use experiences and outlooks. The analysis was conducted using the LightGBM ensemble learning method, and the interpretation was based on SHAP algorithms. The findings indicate that the most crucial factor is the number of AT rides taken, with three experiences serving as a threshold for promoting the willingness to continue using ATs. Trip durations of 25 min influence respondents’ expectations of AT pricing, with shorter trips anticipated to be priced similarly or lower than traditional taxis and ride-hailing services. The peak AT-hailing hours are between 11:00 and 15:00. Enhancing the dynamic performance of ATs is crucial for improving user experience and intention. Furthermore, for individuals under 32 years old, ATs represent a novel, high-tech, and appealing mode of transport. Older adults are less inclined to consider ATs as an alternative to their current transport modes. User satisfaction with in-vehicle interactions can mediate the impact of overall trip satisfaction on the continuous use intention of ATs. Regarding future activity scenarios with ATs, respondents express a willingness to use them for commuting and leisure but strongly oppose their use for picking up children. The paper concludes by presenting theoretical and industrial implications, along with strategies to enhance the continuous use intention of ATs.