Prioritizing pedestrians in the introduction of self-driving vehicles: Policy insights from British Columbia, Canada

The introduction of self-driving vehicles (SDVs) may substantially impact the travel experiences of all road users. The goal of this study is to facilitate pedestrian-friendly introduction of SDV by understanding public support for pedestrian-relevant SDV policies, with a focus on how support varies across the population with personal attributes, travel habits, and attitudes. We estimate a structural equation model from survey data collected in 2021 to examine relationships between personal attributes and SDV policy support, including mediation by both explicit and implicit attitudes toward SDVs. Results show that the population of British Columbia, Canada, is roughly evenly split on the general introduction of SDV, with more support for policies enabling SDVs for public use (55% favourable) than for private use (48% favourable). A majority want specific SDV regulations: mandating external identification as self-driving/automated (89% support), requiring a person in the driver’s seat (85% support), and prohibition against operating in pedestrian priority areas (65% support). Individual attitudes toward technology are the primary determinants of SDV policy support. Implicit attitudes toward SDV have smaller, and sometimes opposing, effects on SDV policy support than explicit attitudes toward SDV. Older individuals, people of colour, and women express stronger support for SDV restrictions. The findings support a tiered approach to introducing SDVs that allows road users to experience and observe interactions with SDVs in limited and controlled settings.