Modeling Preferences for Autonomous Vehicle Access Types and Usage Intentions

As autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies continue to advance, it is increasingly important for transportation agencies to understand how individuals will access and use these technologies, as different access models have substantially different implications for travel demand, system performance, and infrastructure investment. This project examines preferences across two primary AV access modes, private ownership and ridehailing-based services, and analyzes how these preferences relate to anticipated AV usage behaviors. The study considers three key usage dimensions: willingness to use AVs for transporting children, anticipated in-vehicle time use, and willingness to relinquish driving control. In addition, the analysis incorporates three individual-level constructs that influence AV-related decisions, including perceptions of AV safety, prior experience with advanced vehicle technologies, and affinity toward shared mobility. Using data from the 2024 California Vehicle Survey, the project develops an integrated behavioral modeling framework that jointly represents AV access preferences and usage intentions. The results will provide actionable insights for improving travel demand forecasting, supporting infrastructure and fleet planning, and informing policy strategies related to AV deployment, system operations, and long-term transportation system performance.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $75,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552344815

  69A3552348320

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Texas at Austin

  Austin, TX  United States  78712
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas at Austin

  Austin, TX  United States  78712
• Principal Investigators:

  Bhat, Chandra

• Start Date: 20260601
• Expected Completion Date: 20270531
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile ownership; Autonomous vehicles; Children; Consumer preferences; Decision making; Mode choice; Ridesourcing
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02002867
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Understanding Future of Travel Behavior and Demand
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552344815, 69A3552348320
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 18 2026 10:17AM