The Social Acceptability of Intelligent Transportation Systems

Understanding how users will respond to new in-vehicle technologies can be a crucial factor in the success of future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) implementations. This study's main goal was to evaluate the social acceptability of different ITS that varied in the control and monitoring levels over vehicle parameters and driver's performance and to describe the most common socio-psychological factors that influence ITS acceptability. We developed a novel ITS acceptability measure, composed by a 51-item questionnaire. The participants had generally high levels of acceptability, independently of the ITS control level over driver's performance. However ITS that exerted more control were regarded as more efficient. We also found gender differences, especially in a "Personal and Social Aims" dimension. Age is positively correlated with participants score on the acceptability index, while education level is showing an opposite tendency. Finally, and critical to ITS development, controlling the car velocity is evaluated as the least preferable ITS feature.