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Description
Automotive technology was evolving even before 1913 when the first Model T rolled off of Henry Ford’s Highland Park, Michigan assembly line. Continual advancements in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies promise an unprecedented acceleration in the evolution of automobile safety, mobility and environmental impact. With any new technology, there are risks and opportunities. Many of the risks and opportunities surrounding CAVs are being studied in academia, by government agencies, and by organizations developing these technologies. This study will focus on public perceptions of CAVs. No matter how profound a change CAVs promise to bring to transportation, public acceptance will play a major role in their scalability and rate of adoption. As CAVs continue to be developed, it is important to determine the level of public acceptance to be expected. Also important is determining if perception around these technologies can be made more positive with exposure to information on the basics of CAVs. This study assessed the perceptions and familiarity San Diego State University (SDSU) students have of CAV’s. Changes in perception and familiarity were also measured after participants received basic information on some positive impacts CAV technology will have on transportation. When rating themselves from one to five (five being most familiar) Group 1, which took a survey before and after an informational lesson, had an average change in familiarity for AVs from 2.7 before the lesson to 3.6 after the lesson, and for CVs from 2.0 to 3.4. Group 2, which took a survey before and after reviewing an informational brochure, had an average change in familiarity for AVs from 2.9 before the brochure to 3.4 after the brochure, and for CVs from 2.1 to 3.3. Increases in awareness were accompanied by increases in willingness to own and use CAVs in both groups. Showing that public perception can be positively influenced will help determine whether education around CAVs can be used as a tool to increase the rate of adoption. If the adoption rate can be increased, the positive changes in automobile safety, mobility, and environmental impact can be realized sooner.
