Automated vehicles and future transport inequalities in the UK. Exploring the potential accessibility implications for older people

It is often argued that automated vehicles (AVs) will reduce the unmet accessibility needs of older people. However, these assumptions tend to overlook the potential barriers to AV uptake for older population groups and the fact that AVs may have broader effects on mobility behaviours and transport systems. Although these impacts cannot be predicted with certainty, early engagement with these questions may assure that older people’s accessibility needs are considered in future transport policy. The thesis focuses on two critical research gaps to untangle the future accessibility implications of AVs. First, it explores how transport policymakers perceive and plan to manage the effects of AVs on older people’s accessibility. Second, it investigates older people’s perceptions and acceptance of AVs. The research draws from a content analysis of strategy and planning documents from transport authorities in England and interviews with transport policymakers and experts. Key findings are that while there is an emphasis on the potential of AVs for the UK ageing society, certain barriers to adoption of AVs are often overlooked. Moreover, the potential impacts of AVs on older people’s accessibility as users of other modes (e.g. walking) are not considered. Transport authorities have mostly played a facilitating role in the development of AVs, but have not yet developed plans and policies to ensure that older people will benefit from the transition to AVs. Through interviews with older citizens in Greater Manchester, the research identifies that some older people perceive that AVs would improve their current or future accessibility levels. Nevertheless, several factors may inhibit the ability and willingness of some older population groups to use AVs. Finally, the study explored older people’s acceptance of different automated transport services. Although most interviewees appeared as willing to use at least some of the proposed services, some showed strong reluctance to use AVs.