METHODOLOGY

Two surveys were conducted during the project period to better understand the passenger experience and the opinions of the general public regarding automated shuttles. The first survey was conducted by tablet in person at each deployment site which received 789 responses (708 responses for those who took the shuttle ride and 81 without taking shuttle ride). This survey asked questions about the respondent’s thoughts on the safety of the automated shuttle, where they rode the shuttle, and if they transferred bus or train. The Open UTA Survey received 33 responses, which was online and aimed for the general public. It asked questions regarding whether the respondents were aware if the shuttle was fully automated, would make travel safer, and if it would complement public transit. The two surveys received a total of 822 responses and collected both quantitative and qualitative data.

FINDINGS

For those who did not ride the shuttle, but took the tablet survey (a total of 81 responses): 

• More than half of the respondents (62 percent) thought that automated vehicles can make travel safer and 79 percent thought that automated shuttles could complement public transit. 
• Sixty-eight (68) percent looked forward to having automated vehicles on roadways in the future. 

For those who rode the shuttle and took the tablet survey (total of 708 responses): 

Nearly all riders felt safe on board (94 percent) and stated that automated shuttles could complement public transit (97 percent). 

• After riding, 95 percent had a more positive attitude toward automated vehicle technology.

For the Open UTA online survey which disregarded whether they rode or even saw the shuttle (total of 33 responses): 

• Seventy-six (76) percent of the respondents thought that automated vehicles could make travel safer, and 88 percent stated that automated shuttles could complement public transit.
• Seventy-six (76) percent of the respondents looked forward to having automated vehicles on roadways in the future.