Use of travel time in a shared automated vehicle for work and leisure

Abstract

Shared automated vehicles (SAVs) have the potential to transform travel by enabling users to engage in non-driving-related tasks (NDRTs), enhancing productivity and travel satisfaction. To explore this potential, we conducted a field experiment using a Wizard-of-Oz simulator-on-wheels replicating SAV services in urban areas. The study examined how engagement in work and leisure NDRTs influenced attitudes, preferences, and associated values of travel time (VoTTs) for SAVs versus conventional transport modes (public transport (PT), cars, and bicycles). A total of 104 participants completed two test rides while engaging in work and leisure activities, with engagement levels captured via video recordings. Results showed that travel costs for SAVs were perceived as less negative than those of PT and cars, and that participants preferring work over leisure in SAVs developed a more positive perception of travel time in them post-test. In contrast, full concentration on NDRTs during test rides increased the disutility of travel time of the car alternative. Pre-test results indicated that SAVs had the highest VoTTs compared to cars and PT. However, after the rides, VoTTs for SAVs decreased when used for work-related activities, underscoring their advantage for productivity-focused travel. For cars, the ability to fully concentrate on NDRTs increased VoTTs, reflecting heightened expectations of comfort and productivity. These findings highlight SAVs’ potential to enhance travel productivity, but also show how experience with NDRTs reshapes conventional modes perceptions. Finally, the experiment demonstrated the relevance of the Wizard-of-Oz approach for simulating realistic SAV experiences, with 74% of participants believing the setup was genuine.