Project Summary
Current research on vehicle automation is primarily focused on fully autonomous vehicles, however semi-autonomous vehicles are already available on the market. These vehicles will have an impact on drivers’ travel patterns due to changes in the utility of driving (e.g. reduced driver fatigue, increased ability to multitask). These vehicles have the potential to change travel patterns and could lead to increases in vehicle miles travelled (VMT). This may have negative consequences for road networks and the environment. This project will be the first to investigate what impact these vehicles are already having on travel behavior. In depth interviews with owners of semi-autonomous vehicles will be conducted to gain a better understanding of how and if these vehicles are resulting in more VMT. The interviews will explore any changes to driver’s travel patterns including their willingness to drive, and willingness to drive longer distances. The interviews will focus on driver’s commute distances and will explore whether having a semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicle has or would lead to drivers being willing to travel longer commute distances (e.g., by moving home location or work location).
