A multinational empirical study of perceived cyber barriers to automated vehicles deployment

Abstract

The digital transformation of Automated Vehicles (AVs) has raised concerns in the cyber realm among prospective AV consumers. However, there is a dearth of empirical research on how cyber obstacles may impact the operation of AVs. To address this knowledge gap, this study examines the six critical cyber impediments (data privacy, AV connectivity, ITS infrastructure, lack of cybersecurity regulations, AV cybersecurity understanding, and AV cyber-insurance) that influence the deployment of AVs. The impact of gender, age, income level, and individual AV and cybersecurity knowledge on these obstacles are statistically assessed using a sample of 2061 adults from the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. The research revealed intriguing empirical findings on all cyber barriers in the form of a trichotomy: participants' education level, understanding of AVs, and cybersecurity knowledge. As education levels increase, the significance of a cyber barrier to AV deployment decreases; however, as AV comprehension and cybersecurity knowledge increase, the perception of a cyber barrier becomes significantly more important. In addition, the study demonstrates differences in perceptions of cyber barriers and AV deployments based on gender, age, income, and geographic location. This study's findings on cyber barriers and AV deployment have implications for academia and industry.

What Drives People’s Willingness to Adopt Autonomous Vehicles? A Review of Internal and External Factors

“…(4) Concerned authorities can appoint an independent and certified tester to test maturity standards of AVs and AV producers and set some baseline standards to be maintained in order to achieve trust in AVs and increase their performance [92]. (5) As elderly people are reluctant to drive AVs, appropriate actions should be taken to change their perceptions and boost overall acceptance by increasing trust in AVs and foregrounding features and benefits of AVs [83,94,95]. ( 6) Transportation engineers and designers should simplify the design and positioning of SAVs by providing clear video instructions, internet cafes, conference rooms, and social networking places to engage all people and make their journey fun and enjoyable [90,94].…”

“…( 7) Auto manufacturers and interested stakeholders should invest more and strengthen research and development of this evolving technology in order to constantly improve the reliability of the technology and increase people's trust in order to enhance public acceptance of AVs [90]. (8) Practitioners should establish a set of comprehensive mitigation strategies, such as limiting personal data acquisition, anonymizing users' identities before sharing data, instituting strict regulatory frameworks in cyberspace to safeguard consumer data from cyber-attacks, and alleviate cyber worries [95]. This can increase the acceptance and use of AVs by all cohorts of the society.…”

Exploring the association between socio‐demographic factors and public acceptance towards fully automated vehicles: Insights from a survey in Australia

“…The results revealed that males with higher travel needs, and affordability are likely to accept AVs because of higher familiarity and more experience and experience in riding AVs is the most influential factor. Similarly, through a survey of participants from four developed countries regarding perceived cyber barriers to automated vehicles deployment, Khan et al [47] identified data privacy as one of the cyber impediments that influence the deployment of AVs. Further, the study demonstrated differences in perceptions of cyber barriers and AVs deployments based on gender, age, income, and geographic location, highlighting the need to explore the socio-demographic differences for adoption and deployment of AVs.…”