In the present study, we explored the influence of ride experience in automated minibuses (AmBs) on transport mode choice that includes the automated shuttles as well as conventional transport options (car, bus and bicycle) on the first-/ last-mile stage of rail trips. We used the case study of the connection between Brandevoort train station and the newly developing working and living area in Helmond (the Netherlands) where an AmB was tested in the February-March period of 2021. We conducted a two-wave stated preference experiment wherein data was gathered both before and after the participants had a test ride in the AmB. The results of the joint hybrid mixed logit model indicate a clear preference towards flexible-service AmBs, particularly in relation to travel time and costs. While preferences for less favoured regular-service AmBs experienced a noteworthy shift in travel time and costs, waiting and walking time parameters influenced by participants' ride experience in this pilot and by prior ride experience from other pilots. This reinforces the idea that the ride experience in AmBs even in a short pilot trial like the one conducted in Helmond has a significant impact on preferences for AmBs in comparison with car, bus and bicycle alternatives. Hence, panel studies can provide a more comprehensive understanding of how attitudes and preferences of potential users evolve over time.

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In this paper, we study the deployment potential of automated minibuses (AmBs) on the first-mile part of public transport (PT) trips or short (sub)urban commutes by comparing “regular” (fixed route and fixed schedule) and “flexible” (door-to-door and on-demand) service types. For reaching that goal, we run a stated choice experiment in the Netherlands. The participants have assessed the referred two AmB alternatives compared to their current travel mode (car, PT, or active modes (AM) – bicycle and walking) used as the main mode for unimodal travellers or as access travel mode to transit lines for multimodal travellers. The results of a joint mixed logit model estimation based on data obtained from Dutch travellers show that there are similarities and differences in the preferences for the AmBs service type within and between the segments of travellers (car, PT, and AM) and that these are mostly in instrumental variables (cost and time) and attitudes. Current PT users prefer the flexible service to regular service based on their perception of in-vehicle travel time and waiting time, while current users of car and AM do not show a difference in preference between the two services concerning these variables. Moreover, their perception of in-vehicle travel time and waiting time is not significantly different from PT users’ perception of those variables in the regular service. This may mean that for non-PT users (car and AM), AmB’s flexibility of door-to-door transport is not seen as offering a significant advantage over what they think about public transport. When looking at the preferences of potential users explained by underlying psychological factors, we conclude that a positive attitude towards riding in AmBs is a significant factor in all three segments of travellers. Trust, usefulness, and enjoyment in using AmBs are important prerequisites for car and PT users to choose either service type. The experience with technology positively influences the preferences of current PT users for both AmB services.@en

Automated bus systems are a promising means of future first- and last mile public transport solutions, and can even possibly become a regular part of the public transport network. Therefore, many projects appear throughout Europe to pilot the feasibility of automated bus system implementation on various locations. Keeping up with the rapidly increasing pace in which these pilots appear, this report aimed to provide an overview of past, currently on-going, and concretely planned pilots with automated bus systems in Europe. Via extensive internet searches, exhausting personal networks, and gathering information from other sources, a detailed overview was developed. 118 pilots were found which were characterized by vehicles with predominantly low speeds, low capacities, and short operation routes. The search in itself proved to be difficult due to the often lacking detailed information of pilots, which was argued to be due to most scientific pilots are of recent years, and therefore often still on-going, and have consequentially not published any information yet on their research. Another difficulty arose due to the rapid increase of occurring pilots with automated buses, which leads to the report already being out-of-date as this report is being written. Therefore, this report will be updated early 2021. Currently, the vast majority of automated bus system pilots occur with the presence of a steward on board, due to legislation, technological challenges, as well as passengers requesting them, raising concerns regarding (e.g., economic) efficiency. Although there are a few automated bus systems that actively show efficient operation without on-board stewards, this still appears to be a future development. @en

Automated bus systems are a promising means of future first- and last mile public transport solutions, and can even possibly become a regular part of the public transport network. Therefore, many projects appear throughout Europe to pilot the feasibility of automated bus system implementation on various locations. Keeping up with the rapidly increasing pace in which these pilots appear, this report aimed to provide an overview of past, currently on-going, and concretely planned pilots with automated bus systems in Europe. Via extensive internet searches, exhausting personal networks, and gathering information from other sources, a detailed overview was developed. In the first version, established March 2020, 118 pilots were found which were characterized by vehicles with predominantly low speeds, low capacities, and short operation routes. In this final version, established February 2021, aside from additional information on known pilots, another 13 were found, making a total of 131 pilots throughout Europe. The search in itself proved to be difficult due to the often lacking detailed information of pilots, which was argued to be due to most scientific pilots being of recent years, and therefore often still on-going, and consequentially not having published any information yet on their research. Another difficulty arose due to the rapid increase of occurring pilots with automated buses, which leads to the report already being out-of-date as this report is being written. Therefore, this report was updated early 2021. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic situation appears a major issue for automated bus systems pilots during the year 2020. The results show that currently the vast majority of automated bus system pilots occur with the presence of a steward on board, due to legislation, technological challenges, as well as passengers requesting them, raising concerns regarding (e.g., economic) efficiency. Although there are a few automated bus systems that actively show efficient operation without on board stewards, this still appears to be a future development. @en