Modelling public attitude towards air taxis in Germany

Urban air mobility (UAM) holds great promise as an expansion of the transportation system in cities. Despite the progress in UAM technology, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding how the public will accept and react to these mobility services. This study employed a structural equation model (SEM) to construct a comprehensive framework that delves into the factors influencing public attitudes toward air taxis. Data for the model is derived from a sequential exploratory mixed methods approach. The initial phase involved identifying acceptance factors towards air taxis through five focus groups, laying the foundation for the subsequent structural model development. A survey involving 819 participants was conducted in Germany in the next phase. The latent variables in this model are the expected benefits, expected risks, and the personal level of technophilia. The results show that rising stress levels through new air traffic flows, noise, and blocking sky views affect negative attitudes toward air taxis in public spaces. In contrast, the user expectation of avoiding traffic jams and achieving time savings contributes positively. Additionally, people who are more technophilic tend to have a more positive attitude toward air taxis. However, the perceived negative consequences of air taxis exert more substantial and stronger influences on public attitude than the expected benefits. By introducing the acceptance factors and relevant dimensions of a public attitude, this study provides insights to shape the design of UAM in accordance with the common good.