Research highlights importance of inclusive design for self-driving buses 

New research from the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s self-driving bus project ‘Connector’ suggests the biggest challenge for self-driving services may not be the technology itself, but ensuring that services are designed around passenger needs.  
The study, commissioned through the GCP’s Connector project, explored attitudes towards self-driving buses among people with a range of access needs and protected characteristics.  
 
Participants were generally prepared to trust the technology to drive safely but highlighted the importance of information, reassurance and support throughout the journey, including pick-up and drop-off. 
 
Self-driving buses have the potential to offer longer operating hours to services for communities that currently have limited transport options, as well as making roads safer by never getting tired or distracted. However, the research found that drivers help passengers in ways that are easy to overlook, noticing who is waiting, interpreting what people need and stepping in when needed. Passengers expected these functions to be built into the design of self-driving buses, with clear routes to human support when needed. 
 
The study involved 48 participants and was conducted by human-centred design specialists Anthrometric using immersive virtual reality experiences alongside in-person focus groups and accompanied journeys.  
 
The next phase of the Connector project is to develop and test how a future support model will work; which of the driver’s roles are automated, which can be handled remotely and where access to human support may still be needed. 
 
Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation at the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “It is really encouraging that people are getting more comfortable with self-driving technology, what matters now is to move from proving the technology, to designing a service that people choose to use, by building in the support they need. 
“The research shows every stage of the journey matters; from flagging down the bus to getting information on board and support if needed. The next stage of our work is to design a service that works for everyone.” 
 
Dr Clare Mutzenich, CEO of Anthrometric, said: “The real opportunity is not just teaching the bus to drive itself. It is designing a transport service that supports everyone equally, at every stage of the self-driving journey.”    
 
The Connector project is trialling self-driving buses in Cambridge on two routes; Cambridge West and Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Recently awarded a further £3.88 million in government funding, Connector is looking at what is needed for self-driving buses to move from trial stage to commercial reality. 
 
Connector is being delivered by a consortium led by GCP, made up of Whippet, Fusion Processing, Alexander Dennis, dRisk and Anthrometric. 

Read the full report: www.greatercambridge.org.uk/human-factors-research