Public acceptance of urban air mobility: A study on factors influencing adoption

Jakarta suffers from time-consuming travel, long commutes, and high population density, resulting in substantial economic losses. It includes delays for travellers commuting between Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (SHIA) and the Sudirman Central Business District, where timely arrival is often critical. Urban Air Mobility (UAM), an innovative mode of environmentally friendly air transport enabled by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, offers a potential solution to tackle this issue as it has gained popularity due to global issues with traffic congestion. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of UAM in Jakarta. A stated preference survey was conducted with 1,000 respondents, comprising 46.1% male and 53.9% female participants, representing a broad range of income levels. The analysis employs a mixed logit model and an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The results indicate that cost and travel time are the most influential factors in UAM adoption. Individuals who frequently travel to SHIA, particularly by taxi, are more likely to prefer UAM over other modes of transportation. Results from the extended TAM showed that perceived usefulness, ease of use, safety, trust, and attitude significantly impact the intention to use UAM. Taking into account these findings, policymakers should prioritize service designs that reduce time-related factors (i.e., travel and waiting) and minimize costs (i.e., travel and access), while also ensuring high safety standards to increase the attractiveness of UAM.