Autonomous Vehicles as Viewed by Future Users in Poland

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The process of implementing new technologies, such as autonomous vehicle technology, requires the acceptance of potential end users. This knowledge is essential for decision-makers and manufacturers. Acceptance is a complex issue in this case and depends on various factors. The aim of the article was to analyze the results of a public opinion survey in Poland on this topic. Various methods were used in the study, including Computer-Assisted Web Interviews (CAWI) surveys, focused group interviews (FGI), and individual in-depth interviews (IDI). The article presents the results of the CAWI survey, in which 1067 respondents in Poland participated, with a confidence level of 95% and a maximum margin of error of 3%, representing a representative sample of the Polish population aged 16 and above. Issues illustrating the level of respondents' acceptance regarding perceived safety and trust in autonomous vehicles were analyzed. The research was conducted as part of a project led by the Ministry of Infrastructure.

In the case of results obtained in the test studies, the majority of variable distributions were not normal (as verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test), so the entire process of analyzing the test results was correctly conducted using non-parametric methods.

The relationship between knowledge about autonomous vehicle technology, its partial utilization in owned cars, and acceptance regarding the willingness to use it in the future was not straightforward. Interestingly, the possession of driver-assistance systems in vehicles did not translate into acceptance among users. This may indicate a lack of daily use of these systems due to insufficient knowledge about their functions.

The results of the conducted analyses were illustrated in corresponding figures.

The question is correctly formulated, taking into account the challenges faced by decision-makers overseeing the implementation process of new technologies. In Poland, such public opinion studies were conducted for the first time, and they constitute a significant contribution to the discussion on the strategies for implementing automated and autonomous vehicles.

The pursuit of sustainable transportation requires multifaceted analyses, and user opinions largely expedite this process. It is important to shape these opinions skillfully, utilizing available means and, above all, the opportunity for direct contact with these solutions.

The results are interpreted correctly.

The article is written in an appropriate way and the data and analyses are presented appropriately.

The methods, tools, software, and reagents are described with sufficient details to allow another researcher to reproduce the results. The data is contained in the report for the project - PL-AV-ROAD - "Poland's Road to Autonomous Transportation."

I believe the topic is relevant not only in Poland, as confirmed by the analysis of selected studies conducted in other countries.

The work provides new knowledge that allows for a rational intensification of efforts towards the implementation of new technologies.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer, thank you very much for your positive review. We, as a team of authors, hope that the article will contribute to the dissemination of knowledge not only in Poland but also globally in the field of autonomous vehicles and sustainable transportation.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this paper, the results of questionnaire about the autonomous vehicles in Poland are explained. But the relation between the conclusion and the results of questionnaire is not clear.

I cannot find Figure 3, which appears at Line 7 of Page 10, and Table 6, which appears at Line 8 of Page 10.

44.3%, which appears at Line 8 from the bottom of Page 8, may be 45.3%.

Author Response

R 2

In this paper, the results of questionnaire about the autonomous vehicles in Poland are explained. But the relation between the conclusion and the results of questionnaire is not clear.

I cannot find Figure 3, which appears at Line 7 of Page 10, and Table 6, which appears at Line 8 of Page 10.

44.3%, which appears at Line 8 from the bottom of Page 8, may be 45.3%.

Dear Sir/Madam Reviewer,

Thank you very much for the feedback, which has been incorporated into the revised manuscript. References to Figure 3 and Table 6 have been removed as the authors decided not to include them in the text, resolving the inconsistency. The percentage "44.3%" has been corrected to "45.3%."

However, the connection between the conclusions and the questionnaire results is not clear. The survey aimed to gauge public perception of new technologies, and the analysis indicated a low level of knowledge among respondents. As known, acceptance of new technologies changes with the acquisition of knowledge. Based on this knowledge, the level of acceptance may rise or fall, depending on the nature of the information. The implementation of new technologies often comes with certain benefits, but simultaneously, especially in the initial stages, there are consequences that are not always accepted by society. Predictions regarding potential risks associated with autonomous transportation vary significantly depending on the country, its economic potential, and technological level.

This is partly due to a lack of experience with autonomous vehicles, as they are still relatively underutilized in transportation systems and not fully autonomous. Poland's limited experience, stemming from its initial phase of activity in this area, requires analysis and formulation of forecasts based on the experiences of more advanced countries. As autonomous transportation develops in Poland, public opinion may gradually change, increasing acceptance for these types of vehicles.

Therefore, the conclusions in the article suggest what could be done to raise public acceptance. The initiatives mentioned in the conclusions, such as informational campaigns, educational programs at universities, and advertisements targeting younger age groups, aim to increase knowledge and understanding of autonomous technology. Improving understanding can reduce mistrust.

Clear and understandable information conveyed to the public, including through training, presentations, and educational videos, aims to alleviate concerns and eliminate unfamiliarity. Opening autonomous vehicles for educational purposes at universities can also help familiarize young people with this technology. Advertising efforts aimed at younger age groups and promoting the benefits of autonomous public transportation can increase trust in this technology, which, in turn, can contribute to increased social acceptance.

Implementing precise and reasonable regulations, including testing procedures, can increase society's trust in the safety of autonomous vehicles. In summary, these initiatives are focused on overcoming obstacles associated with the lack of social acceptance for autonomous vehicle technology by increasing knowledge, addressing concerns, and promoting the benefits of their use. These actions are crucial for building full trust in autonomous vehicles and achieving widespread social acceptance.

The above arguments have been added in selected phrases in the article. In the introduction, for clarity of purpose and hypotheses, the following was added: "Additionally, the authors put forward the thesis that coordinated actions aimed at increasing societal awareness and shaping a positive perception through various initiatives will significantly contribute to a favorable public opinion towards autonomous vehicle technology."

Therefore, in the authors' opinion, coherence has been achieved between the research assumptions, arguments, and conclusions in the article, as suggested by the Reviewer.

Best regards,

Authors

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Author:
The following comments, recommendations, and questions are made to your submitted manuscript

1. I consider that in the introduction, the motivation and main objective of the research are short. Here, you should establish a relationship between the importance of your manuscript and the possible contributions that will be derived from your research.

2. In the methodological section, the authors could delve into how the data were obtained, including more information about the samples taken, the time in which these were taken, and geographical areas.

3. Based on the results, what recommendations can the authors establish? I consider that this question should be answered in the discussion of the manuscript.

4. What possible future work can be derived from this research? This should be included in the conclusion of the manuscript.

5. I consider that a current description of the Polish market for autonomous cars could be included to establish an idea about the impact of this study.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor changes in typos were detected

Author Response

Dear Sir/Madam Reviewer,

Thank you very much for the feedback, which has been incorporated into the revised manuscript.

 

1. I consider that in the introduction, the motivation and main objective of the research are short. Here, you should establish a relationship between the importance of your manuscript and the possible contributions that will be derived from your research.

Thank you very much for the suggestions. The introduction has been significantly expanded, aligning with the reviewer's recommendations in point 5, providing a detailed description of the autonomous vehicle market in Poland. We have also linked this information to the purpose of the conducted research and emphasized the added value that the article can bring to the readers.

Additionally, a description from point 5 of the review has been included in the introduction.

„Additionally, the authors put forward the thesis that coordinated actions aimed at increasing societal awareness and shaping a positive perception through various initiatives will significantly contribute to a favorable public opinion towards autonomous vehicle technology. Consequently, the manuscript attempts to understand the social perspective of introducing autonomous vehicles. The insights gained from these studies can contribute to a better understanding of the challenges and barriers associated with the social adaptation of this new technology in Poland. Furthermore, a research approach based on survey studies on a representative sample of the population can provide valuable data on the attitudes and expectations of society towards autonomous vehicles.

The research results obtained can serve as a valuable source of information for decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders involved in the process of adapting this new technology. It can also shed light on the perception of the Polish autonomous vehicle market globally and among the Polish socjety”.

2. In the methodological section, the authors could delve into how the data were obtained, including more information about the samples taken, the time in which these were taken, and geographical areas.

Thank you very much for the valuable guidance. The article's methodology section has been updated to include a description of data acquisition, aligning with the reviewer's suggestion.

„ A population study of individuals aged 16 and older was conducted using a randomly-stratified sample with quota variables: gender, age (6 options), size of the place of residence (5 options), and all provinces in Poland. Within each stratum, a simple random sampling of respondents was performed. In the first step, the sampling frame was narrowed down to individuals meeting the main research criterion, i.e., respondents aged 16 and older. Based on data from the official registers of the Central Statistical Office, a representative sample structure was determined based on the combined distribution of gender, age category, and place of residence, as well as marginally with respect to the province. Subsequently, independently for each target cell of the sample structure (strata), the target size to be achieved in the implementation was determined. In the next step, the size in each stratum was divided by the expected response rate for a given category, thus establishing the minimum number of required invitations that were sent to achieve the required implementation threshold. The study was conducted in November 2021.

The second research group consisted of representatives of companies in the TSL (Transport, Shipping, and Logistics) industry, including representatives of transport companies, within the range of 70%-80%. The research was conducted on a purposefully selected sample of 155 respondents, ensuring that participants in the study were individuals who, due to their characteristics, should undergo such research, i.e., managers of TSL companies, managers of TSL industry associations, drivers, dispatchers, and freight forwarders.

The survey employed the following methods: CAWI surveys (Computer Assisted Web Interview), FGI interviews (Focus Group Interview), and IDI interviews (Individual In-depth Interview)”.

 

3. Based on the results, what recommendations can the authors establish? I consider that this question should be answered in the discussion of the manuscript.
   
   

Thank you very much for your comments. The discussions about the provisions in the article regarding the recommendations derived from the research results have been expanded.

In Poland, efforts have been made to address recommendations regarding the introduction of autonomous vehicles on the roads. These recommendations were developed as part of the mentioned AV-PL-Road project and documented in the Roadmap, with the article's authors being among the contributors. The recommendations covered a wide range of aspects, not only concerning increasing the level of public acceptance. Specifically:

Introducing regulations enabling safe testing of autonomous vehicles on roads (amendment of the Road Traffic Law).

Implementing a requirement for testing autonomous vehicles on tracks before allowing them on the roads.

Creating a database of scenarios for simulation testing.

Training highly specialized personnel.

Educating drivers and driver candidates and enhancing societal acceptance through the promotion of automated transport.

Regarding actions to increase the level of trust in Polish society, as indicated by research, it is crucial to promote accurate information about autonomous vehicles and promote it appropriately. There are various tools and forms of promotion that can be utilized, such as:

•  
• Extensive social campaigns.
• Social media.
•  
• Traditional media.
•  
• Real-time marketing.
• Education of specialists.
• Public education.

The choice of tools may be guided by various criteria, with the key objective being to reach as many potential users as possible. Therefore, the key to success lies in disseminating knowledge among future users of autonomous vehicles and specialized personnel.

It is worth noting that some of these actions have already been taken, such as organizing three editions of the AV-Poland conference in collaboration with the Warsaw University of Technology Faculty of Transport and the Institute of Automotive Transport in 2017, 2021, and 2022, addressing the market of autonomous vehicles in Poland.

 

4. What possible future work can be derived from this research? This should be included in the conclusion of the manuscript.

 

Thank you very much for your feedback. The conclusion has been expanded, and directions for future work based on the survey findings have been added.

The survey aimed to assess public perception of new technologies in autonomous vehicles. The analysis of the results indicated a low level of knowledge among respondents. As known, acceptance of new technologies changes with the acquisition of knowledge. Therefore, a priority is to undertake initiatives that build trust in autonomous vehicles, thereby contributing to sustainable development, improving transportation efficiency, reducing negative environmental impact, and increasing accessibility of transportation services for various social groups.

Future directions of work may include the following actions. Firstly, there is a need to prepare an educational campaign to inform residents about autonomous technologies. The results presented in the article highlight the necessity of clearly explaining to society issues related to safety, efficiency, and potential benefits of autonomous vehicles, such as reducing road accidents, improving public transportation accessibility, and reducing air pollution. Collaboration with local authorities and communities is crucial in this process to better understand concerns and adapt technology to local needs. Consultations with residents should also be conducted to incorporate their opinions and feedback.

From the perspective of residents or passengers, the key issue is the safety of autonomous vehicles. Providing information about the principles of designing new technology, its maturity level, safety testing, and research results will positively impact the level of trust in autonomous vehicle technology among the public. Efforts should be made to demonstrate ongoing technological successes by organizing test rides of autonomous vehicles in real or simulated conditions. Direct contact with the technology can help residents dispel concerns and uncertainties about its actual capabilities. Transparency in the use of solutions also positively influences the perception of the entire technology. Therefore, the use of open-source software solutions and tools is recommended to gain support from the global IT community and should form the foundation for a future unified hardware-software platform for autonomous vehicles.

5. I consider that a current description of the Polish market for autonomous cars could be included to establish an idea about the impact of this study.

Thank you very much for the suggestions. A description of the Polish autonomous vehicle market has been added to the introduction. Additionally, the impact of public opinion research has been linked to the purpose and thesis of the article, as well as the justification for the research.

 

The autonomous vehicle market in Poland is currently in the early stages of development, offering significant opportunities for Polish companies in the automotive, IT, and related industries. Polish firms have the chance to become suppliers of essential components for autonomous vehicles. One example is the startup Robotec.ai, which develops monitoring and communication solutions for autonomous vehicles, including lidars, biometric sensors to monitor the driver's state of concentration, and ADAS systems. Software plays a crucial role in autonomous vehicles, and numerous Polish companies and startups are involved in designing software for recognizing road signs, infrastructure elements, creating vehicle environment maps, and determining vehicle location using SLAM methodologies and trajectory control algorithms.

The electrification of vehicles is closely tied to vehicle autonomy, and Polish companies producing batteries for electric vehicles, such as Impact, contribute to the development of the autonomous vehicle market. Concepts and prototypes of autonomous PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) vehicles have also emerged.

However, the production of autonomous vehicles is just one aspect of the challenge of introducing them to Polish roads. Legal regulations and infrastructure are two other critical factors. Currently, autonomous vehicles are not legal in Poland, and testing is only allowed for research purposes with permission from the traffic management authority and the use of a designated test track.

The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Poland should be preceded by the expansion of existing road infrastructure to incorporate Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication elements. Poland is currently not considered in the ranking of autonomous vehicle readiness, but the AV-PL-ROAD project has significantly contributed to research on legislative changes needed for the safe implementation of road automation in Poland. This includes international context, public acceptance of autonomous vehicles, and an assessment of the country's infrastructure readiness.

As a result of these efforts, the Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Competence Center was established at the Institute of Automotive Transport. The center serves as an expert institution supporting government efforts, particularly those of the Ministry of Infrastructure, in the field of autonomous and connected vehicles.

Ongoing projects, initiated by the Ministry of Infrastructure and funded under the GOSPOSTRATEG Program, aim to create a database of road scenarios for testing perception systems for autonomous vehicles under conditions typical for Polish road infrastructure.

It is projected that autonomous vehicles will hit Polish roads around 2030. However, several challenges need to be addressed before autonomy becomes a reality, including the construction of intelligent and costly road infrastructure, continuous technological advancements, necessary changes in the Polish legal system, and societal attitudes. Public opinion is crucial in the introduction of autonomous vehicles in Poland, as positive sentiment toward new technologies can significantly accelerate the adaptation process. Therefore, it is essential to consider and study public opinion during the planning and implementation of such innovations and work toward increasing societal acceptance in case of low or no approval, as outlined by the authors of this article.

 

Best wishes

Authors

 

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In the revised paper, several arguments are added in Introduction and Conclusion. I will accept the response of authors, except following small careless mistake. As explained in your response, Table 6 has been removed. Then in page 12, title of table, Table 7 should be changed to Table 6.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer, 

Thank you, I changed.

Best wishes

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear Author:

After reviewing the new version of your manuscript, and considering the responses you have sent me to my suggestions. I have issued a favorable recommendation for your work.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you.

Best wishes