Unlocking the Full Spectrum of User Perspectives on Automated Mobility Using the ‘Supertesters’ Method

Abstract

As vehicle automation advances, integrating automated vehicles into the existing transportation system is crucial, considering technical but also social factors. This chapter investigates two Austrian pilot sites, Graz and Pörtschach, by assessing user preferences through a novel “supertester” approach that included experiential elements as well as interviews, questionnaires and workshops. The supertester approach is a within-subjects empirical method in which the same group of individuals experiences various use cases. Employing this approach allowed a comparative analysis across diverse settings, use cases, vehicle types and user perspectives. The study underscores the critical role of fundamental safety functions and the relation between different vehicle types and corresponding expectations of passengers.