This research brief explores national trends from 2019 to 2025, covering how adoption preferences for vehicle automation have shifted over time. It also examines how comfortable people feel riding in fully automated versions of various modes of transportation.
Data for this research brief were drawn from the Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI) survey, an annual probability-based survey designed to represent the U.S. population.
Key findings included: Over time, drivers increasingly preferred more assistive technology (e.g., Level 2). Drivers perceived it as safer, trusted it more, and had fewer concerns. Malfunction was the most frequently reported concern across all levels of automation.
