Perceived Safety and Comfort of Pedestrian Interactions with Self-driving Vehicles

Self-driving vehicle (SDV) technology is advancing rapidly, but important questions remain about how non-automated road users (pedestrians, cyclists, drivers) will interact with SDVs.

This research addresses the questions: Do people perceive pedestrian interactions with SDVs as comfortable and safe, and do those perceptions influence support for SDV policies?

We will collect and analyse video data of road user interactions with the SDV, and also collect data on perceptions of comfort and safety using web surveys. Analysis of these data will reveal how vehicle autonomy affects the travel experience of other road users.

The findings will inform strategies for the responsible introduction of SDVs in Metro Vancouver and beyond.

Cover photo credits: Merger of two images each from klyaksun and jankadal821274 from vecteezy.com.

UPDATE – See the project results here: Perceptions of self-driving vehicles Project Page