Navigating autonomous demand responsive transport: stakeholder perspectives on deployment and adoption challenges

As cities implement intelligent systems and public transportation users seek flexibility, autonomous demand-responsive transport (ADRT) will play an important role in a region's broader public transportation system. We have seen this in cities where trials have been conducted. Great efforts and investments are being made in the industrial and academic sectors to make autonomous driving a reality. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities of adopting ADRT in South East Queensland, Australia. This is critical as ADRT can help be an alternative way to provide public transport, especially for first and last-mile service. The adapted methodology is an exploratory qualitative study through interviews with transport experts to provide comprehensive insights regarding the ADRT service concept, potential customer groups in terms of the supply and the demand side, potential use cases, followed by an explanation of the ADRT deployment and adoption challenges in terms of the supply side and the demand side. Accordingly, we offer recommendations mainly contributing to mindset change, education and exposure, subsidies and incentives, liability and insurance that can support policymakers, transport planners, and engineers in making effective policy choices and developing successful transportation systems, while also increasing public recognition and adoption of ADRT technology.