Abstract: An EasyMile EZ10 low-speed autonomous vehicle (LSAV) was deployed on a route between the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute campus and a nearby bus transit stop to study prospective user attitudes and acceptance regarding trust in technology, system safety, and personal security. The study’s primary goal was to gain a better understanding of how senior adults view low-speed automated vehicles (LSAV) and what preconceived attitudes and/or obstacles might prevent their use of this relatively new mobility technology. This was accomplished using representative videos of the LSAV in operation along with online surveys and virtual meetings. Thirty-six participants ranging in age from 62 -87 were recruited locally based on several criteria including their ability to participate virtually. Lessons learned concerning the LSAV deployment work are also shared in the hope that the knowledge gained through this research and technology deployment will inform future similar implementations and provide insights into how automated technologies should be applied and regulated considering real-life usage aspects.

Andrew (Andy) Alden, MS, PE, is a Senior Research Associate at VTTI. Andy’s current work focuses on a wide range of topics that include transportation decarbonization, highway freight safety and efficiency, low-speed autonomous vehicles, road weather safety, animal-vehicle conflict mitigation, bus transit efficiency, adverse road salt environmental impacts, and unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drone) applications in support of ground transportation. Andy has also served on numerous national and state committees and panels, mostly notably for the National Academies Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and the American Meteorological Society (AMS), and VDOT. Further information on his background, publications, and involvement, and more can be viewed at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-andy-s-alden-0989a31a/.