Advancing Social Equity with Shared Autonomous Vehicles: Literature Review, Practitioner Interviews, and Stated Preference Surveys

Abstract

This report examines preferences and attitudes regarding the implementation and design of a hypothetical publicly-funded Shared Automated Vehicle (SAV) system in the Twin Cities metro area. We provide a brief literature review before delving into our main findings. First, we discuss a series of interviews in which officials at local planning agencies were asked about their vision for SAV in the Twin Cities. According to these interviews, SAV could be especially useful in solving first-and-last-mile problems and connecting with already existing transit and on-demand transportation infrastructure. We then analyze data sourced from an originally designed digital survey instrument implemented over social media in 2020 and specifically targeted at Twin Cities residents. Data from the survey emphasize that people who currently experience barriers to transportation are more likely to value SAV highly. The data also give insight into design considerations, emphasizing flexibility in payment and booking and the importance of security features. Finally, we examine data from a similar survey administered at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair, which we use to gauge preferences toward SAV among people living in the Twin Cities exurbs and Greater Minnesota.