Exploring the factors shaping attitudes and intentions towards automated buses: Empirical evidence from Northeast England

This paper presents an insightful journey into understanding how travellers in the Northeast England perceive and interact with both conventional and emerging automated bus services. Employing a comprehensive methodology, our research scrutinizes data collected from 417 regional respondents via online questionnaires, integrating a blend of quantitative, qualitative, and spatial data points. This approach not only uncovers nuanced attitudes towards public transportation but also sheds light on the potential implications and acceptance of automated bus (AB) services, a fundamental element in shaping the future of urban mobility. The narrative aimed at (i) identifying present socio-demographic clusters and their travel behaviour, (ii) analysing perceptions regarding public transport with an emphasis on bus services, (iii) discovering attitudes towards AB systems and (iv) establishing the likelihood of a travel shift towards ABs.

The quantitative analysis applied Multiple Correspondence Analysis, unveiling five distinct socio-demographic clusters: (1) full-time employed, car-dependent individuals; (2) flexibly working individuals with mixed travel modes; (3) retired, car-dependent persons; (4) unemployed individuals primarily relying on walking and bus services; and (5) employed students utilizing various public transport and active travel modes. Furthermore, Categorical Principal Component Analysis revealed four key attitudinal components influencing bus service perceptions: (a) safety, quality, and comfort; (b) accessibility and availability; (c) cost and reliability; and (d) punctuality and preferences for alternatives. The qualitative dimension covered content and sentiment analysis on responses to open-ended questions about automated buses. This analysis highlighted mixed sentiments, with 56 % positive and 44 % negative mentions. Key connotations with automated buses included expectations of reduced accidents and safer roads, enhanced reliability and frequency of services, potential job losses, diminished social interaction, and concerns over personal security. The study culminates in a spatial analysis, synthesizing the socio-demographic clusters, attitudinal components, and a comparative assessment of traditional versus automated bus services.