HOW WILL AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IMPACT URBAN CYCLING? A STUDY ON URBAN LIVING LABS AND STREET DYNAMICS IN TRANSITION

Abstract

This dissertation examines the impact of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on urban bicycle users through a mixed-methods study conducted in real-world living labs. Bicycle users are a vulnerable road user (VRU) group often overlooked in AV research. The research addresses a gap in current discourse by focusing on the lived experiences of bicycle users rather than simulations or hypothetical scenarios. Drawing from urban geography, behavioural psychology, and cycling studies, this work explores the complex interplay between AVs and bicycle users' attitudes, behaviours, and infrastructure preferences. The study employs surveys, interviews, and focus groups across various sites, informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), traffic stress theory, and bicycle user classifications. Key findings reveal that bicycle users' attitudes are strongly shaped by their perceived safety and comfort, and an unestablished sense of trust when interacting with AVs. The research highlights a persistent preference for physically separated bicycle infrastructure, demonstrating that this desire remains even when interacting with AVs. Furthermore, the study identifies communication challenges between bicycle users and AVs and emphasises the importance of clear cues. The research offers practical policy implications for urban planners, emphasizing the need for context-specific strategies that ensure safe integration of AVs without compromising active transportation and bicycle use. It further offers reflections on the future of urban transportation systems informed by principles of mobility justice. This research provides a baseline for further studies to understand the impact of AI-mediated transport systems on non-occupant road users.