Understanding future adoption of autonomous vehicle services among disabled and non-disabled users

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are poised to transform mobility, yet their adoption depends on both subjective and objective factors. While objective factors like cost and accessibility are well studied, subjective factors, such as trust, perceived safety, and wellbeing, become particularly crucial when users may have not yet experienced these new transport modes. Existing research often treats AVs as a singular concept, overlooking the diversity of AV services and their varying appeal across populations. This study bridges this gap by comparing adoption preferences for multiple AV services, including AV Taxis, AV Remote Taxis, AV Micro Cars, AV Private Cars and AV Buses, across disabled and non-disabled populations. Using sentiment analysis and statistical analysis, we examine how wellbeing, assistance availability, design etc. influence transport choices. Findings vary across mental health, physical health, and non-disabled populations for different AV services. These insights provide a framework for policymakers and industry leaders to design equitable and inclusive AV systems globally.