While fully autonomous vehicles are not yet available for purchase, they are being hailed as a revolutionary step towards significantly safer road travel. However, a recent study has revealed that simply knowing more about these vehicles does not enhance people’s perception of their safety; trust in the technology is equally crucial. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that in matters involving sophisticated technology and science, such as gene editing or climate change, knowledge alone is insufficient to sway public opinions. In the case of autonomous vehicles, researchers discovered that trust in the reliability and performance of the technology plays a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of its safety.
Fully autonomous vehicles are not yet available for purchase, but they are being touted as a means to drastically improve road safety. Despite this, a recent study found that merely increasing people’s knowledge about these vehicles does not enhance their perception of safety; trust is also essential.
This study further supports existing research showing that trust is a critical factor in influencing attitudes towards complex technological innovations and scientific advancements. Researchers at Washington State University found that trust in the reliability and performance of fully autonomous vehicles is the primary driver behind improving perceptions of their safety.
The level of trust in autonomous vehicles may ultimately determine the feasibility of this technology, as noted by Kathryn Robinson-Tay, the lead author of the study published in the Journal of Risk Research.
“Autonomous vehicles are consumer-centric products. Their adoption hinges on consumer acceptance,” explained Robinson-Tay, a doctoral student in WSU’s Murrow College of Communication. “Our findings revealed that the relationship between people’s knowledge and their risk perceptions of autonomous vehicles was not significant without the influence of trust.”
While certain vehicles with autonomous features, like Tesla’s adaptive cruise control, are already in use, fully autonomous driverless vehicles have not yet been commercialized. It is estimated that once available, these vehicles could potentially reduce traffic accidents by up to 90%. However, the widespread acceptance and adoption of this technology are currently hindered by low safety perceptions. A 2022 Pew Research poll indicated that 44% of Americans hold negative views towards autonomous vehicles.
Robinson-Tay and her advisor, Professor Wei Peng, conducted a comprehensive survey involving 323 adults in the U.S., ensuring a diverse sample by applying Census-based quotas for age, gender, and race. The participants were asked about their knowledge of autonomous vehicles and their perceptions of associated risks. While trust emerged as the most significant factor, the willingness of individuals to experience fully autonomous vehicles indirectly contributed to an improved perception of risk.
The unavailability of fully autonomous vehicles for firsthand experience may be a contributing factor to the challenge, and their very nature of being fully autonomous could also impede acceptance, as noted by Peng, a communications researcher at WSU.
“Basic psychology suggests that people prefer interacting with tactile objects and controlling them physically. The absence of physical touch in fully autonomous vehicles may lead individuals to perceive them as highly risky or unsafe,” Peng explained.
The negative impact of news reports regarding accidents involving partially autonomous vehicles has also likely influenced perceptions, according to the researchers.
“While accidents are a regular occurrence on the roads, individuals tend to overestimate the risks associated with novel or less familiar technologies,” Peng emphasized.
Nevertheless, the findings of this study underscore the necessity of establishing trust with the public for the successful integration of fully autonomous vehicles into everyday road use.
“Advocates must effectively communicate both the benefits and risks associated with autonomous vehicles to enhance both knowledge and trust,” Robinson-Tay suggested. “Transparent communication is crucial for individuals to develop a well-rounded understanding before considering the purchase of an autonomous vehicle.”
