Risk perception and trust in autonomous vehicles: a case study of ground handling employees at an international airport
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Autonomous vehicles are currently being introduced in confined areas such as airports, mines and freight terminals. While experts anticipate cost reductions, increased flexibility, and safety improvements, less is known about workers’ attitudes and reactions to real-world implementations of autonomous vehicles. The current study surveyed risk perceptions and trust in autonomous vehicles among 84 employees who had experienced partial introduction of autonomous snow removal operations at the international Oslo Airport. The employees perceived the risk of accidents involving autonomous vehicles as higher than for manual vehicles, and they reported higher levels of worry about the risks associated with autonomous vehicles. High perceived probability of accidents and high worries were associated with low trust in autonomous vehicles and low trust in relevant actors to handle the risk. High ratings of worry and low ratings of trust may be addressed by balanced communication of the benefits and operational constraints expected from introducing autonomous vehicles. Such communication should clarify the personal impacts on the workers. Future studies should continue investigating actual experiences among employees interacting with autonomous vehicles in real situations. Moreover, they may explore the long-term effects of autonomous vehicles on safety, efficiency, and ways of working.
Source: Journal of Risk Research
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4404061591