Is that what people want? An initial study on the intention to use self-driving taxis in the city of Zurich

Lea Häberli; Sabrina Hofer; Markus Hackenfort

doi:10.55329/utjs1888

Authors

Lea Häberli Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland
Sabrina Hofer Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0726-4437
Markus Hackenfort Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1084-1244

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55329/utjs1888

Keywords:

autonomous vehicles, human factors psychology, intention to use, self-driving taxis

Abstract

Fully autonomous Level-4 electric taxis, operating independently without a human driver, are no longer a novelty and are already operating on public roads in the USA and other countries. It is clear that the mobility sector is facing extensive changes, which also affects cities like Zurich. But to what extent will those transport concepts be adopted in cities in the future? Are Level-4 self-driving electric taxis welcome on its streets? This study examined whether this revolution in passenger transport would find acceptance on the streets of Zurich. We explored in which cases, by whom, and for which routes autonomous taxis would be utilized. An online survey with 302 participants assessed the potential intent to use these taxis both during the day and night. The questionnaire was developed based on various theoretical models of technology acceptance and other traffic-related studies and was specifically adapted to the conditions in Zurich. The results showed that factors such as safety and utility evaluations, social influences, and attitudes toward new technologies are significant predictors of usage intention in Zurich. The results also indicate that respondents are not yet fully prepared to hand over control, although the participants expressed an interest in this new technology and an intention to use it. Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, or education level showed no consistent influence. Based on these findings, several practical implications were identified and subsequently developed, such as highlighting the relevance of safety and user-friendliness in self-driving taxis.

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Author Biographies

Lea Häberli, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland

Lea Häberli received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in the year 2024. She is currently doing her master's degree. She is particularly interested in traffic safety, human-machine interaction and the acceptance and use of new technologies.

CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Writing—original draft.

Sabrina Hofer, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland

Sabrina Hofer received her Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). During her internship at the Chair of Developmental Psychology, University of Zurich, she contributed to research on prospective memory and the effects of gain and loss incentives across the adult lifespan. Her research interests include human-machine interaction, automated driving, decision making, cognition, and memory.

CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Writing—original draft.

Markus Hackenfort, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland

Markus Hackenfort is the head of the Traffic Psychology and Human Factors Research Team at ZHAW since 2012. He has Dr. phil. degree from University Duisburg-Essen. He specializes in risk perception, accident prevention and the impacts of advanced driving and assistance systems in vehicles.

CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Writing—review & editing.

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