Modeling public acceptance of private autonomous vehicles: value of time and motion sickness viewpoints

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) offer the opportunity to achieve safe, efficient, accessible, affordable and productive transportation, while also enhancing the mobility of vulnerable groups. Nevertheless, the benefits associated with AVs can only be realized when the mass public have the intention to make use of this technology. This study aims to examine the impacts of several factors on general acceptance of AVs including perceived AV motion sickness, willingness to use time more efficiently in an AV, perceived value of time and perceived risk using private SAE Level-5 AVs, as well as the interrelationships between these factors. Using a sample of 1,418 respondents, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the proposed structural model. Results revealed that perceived value of time, perceived risk and willingness to use time more efficiently in an AV significantly affected the behavioral intention. Results from multi-group analysis showed that participant age also played a role in behavioral intention via the perceived value of time. It is hoped that the findings of this study can help AV policymakers and developers better understand the role that the studied factors play in shaping public intentions to use AVs.