The government's plan for a greener, cleaner transportation system is based on technology advancements that will open new means of transportation throughout the nation.

The Department for Transport commissioned BritainThinks to conduct a deliberative research project exploring perceptions of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), mobility as a service (MaaS), and shared mobility in order to better understand the public's attitudes toward future transportation innovations.

With 207 UK adults from the general public, a large-scale online deliberative programme was undertaken, including online launch and close events, an online community, and online focus groups.

Summary of Findings:

When it came to using MaaS to promote sustainable and active transportation options, there was less enthusiasm but more instant acceptance of the idea. People were also willing to be pushed if it was for a good cause and not done exclusively by private businesses, but rather by (or at least in collaboration with) the government. However, nudges alone are unlikely to have a significant effect on promoting sustainable travel behaviour.

Moreover, the study discovered that the general public is enthusiastic about future transportation technology, with CAVs at the forefront of this vision. However, in order to solve inherent safety concerns, individuals in the UK must become less awestruck and more acquainted with and comfortable with CAV technology.

Guiding principles:

Throughout the research, four effective levers for boosting favourable views of CAV safety were discovered, with the goal of eventually supporting public acceptance of CAVs as "safe enough" to have on UK roads and increasing probability of use.

These levers apply to all CAV technology broadly but are most applicable to partially and fully autonomous vehicles given the generally higher safety concerns participants had around these levels.

1. To build knowledge about the capabilities of autonomous technology.

2. To normalise the concept and presence of CAV technology, by increasing public familiarity and exposure to it.

3. To educate and upskill the public, but particularly drivers, in how to safely use and interact with CAVs.

4. To ease some of the initial tensions the public have around placing trust and control in the hands of technology.

You can find the deliberative research here.

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