Sustainable urban mobility

The increasing world population in urban areas and intensive use of private vehicles have several negative impacts, such as congestion, air pollution, and traffic crashes, affecting public health and well-being, especially for vulnerable groups (e.g., children, elderly, women), further increasing social inequality. Current sustainable transportation options like active and public transportation are not always alternatives for these groups. One of the most promising sustainable transportation options is shared autonomous transportation. However, it is rather unclear if vulnerable groups accept shared autonomous vehicles or SAVs, questioning their social sustainability. Based on the definitions for “social acceptability” and “social acceptance” of transportation options, the Transport Acceptancy-Vulnerability or TAV model is presented. The model combines the “acceptancy,” i.e., “acceptability,” “acceptance,” with the “vulnerability” referring to the four conditions to be met or the 4As, i.e., “availability,” “accessibility,” “affordability,” “attractability,” toward transportation options. This model can be used to address the “social acceptability” or “social acceptance” of sustainable transportation options by vulnerable groups. It allows the structuring and evaluation of literature as well as data helping to determine whether the factors of “acceptancy” or the conditions of “vulnerability” for a transportation option need to be improved. The usability is illustrated by examining the scientific literature on the acceptability of SAVs by elderly, women, households with children, and people with disabilities, and by an example of the social acceptability of SAVs by different potentially vulnerable groups. The model can help transportation authorities, operators, and practitioners to improve socially sustainable urban transportation and overall social inclusion.