Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/699972
20 commercial carrier journal | july 2016 dents were more concerned about riding in a completely self-driving vehicle than in a partially self-driving vehicle. "For example, 37.2 percent were very concerned about riding in a completely self-driv- ing vehicle (and 66.6 percent were very or moderately concerned), as opposed to 17 percent for a partially self-driving vehicle (with 50.7 percent being very or moderately concerned). Conversely, 9.7 percent were not at all concerned with riding in a completely self-driving vehicle, as opposed to 16.5 percent for a partially self-driving vehicle." Not surprisingly, the availability of vehicle controls were a huge sticking point, with nearly 95 percent of all respondents wanting a steering wheel, gas and brake pedal available, even in completely self-driving vehicles. The 2016 study was the second round of a 2015 report, which asked respon- dents the same questions a year earlier. Surprisingly, as we inch closer to making autonomous technology a viable "thing," drivers appear to want it less. In 2015, 43.8 percent of respondents wanted no self-driving capabilities; that's 2 A ccording to a study by the University of Michigan, investments being made in autonomous driving are in stark contrast to the wishes of the people who will be affected most by it – the motoring public. The university polled 618 people – each identified as U.S. licensed drivers 18 years and older by SurveyMonkey's audience tool – with nearly 46 percent saying they preferred no vehicle automation at all. Another nearly 39 percent were willing to sign off on partial vehicle automation. The prospect of full vehicle automation scared the hell out of all but 15.5 percent of respondents. "In two different questions, respon- dents were asked how concerned they would be about riding in a completely self-driving vehicle and a partially self-driving vehicle," says the report, which builds on a series of eight reports addressing public opinion, human fac- tors and safety-related issues concern- ing self-driving vehicles. "The respon- PRODUCT REVIEWS, OEM & SUPPLIER NEWS AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT TRENDS BY JASON CANNON AUTONOMOUS ANXIETY: Nearly 46 percent polled said they preferred no vehicle automation. STEERING WHEEL, PLEASE: The availability of vehicle controls were a huge sticking point. FUTURE SHOCK: As we inch closer to autonomous technology, drivers appear to want it less. Afraid of progress? Autonomy may be a technology the public really doesn't want If the majority of survey respondents want nothing to do with autonomous cars, it shouldn't be a surprise that even more want nothing to do with self-driving heavy trucks.