Where Autonomous Buses Might and Might Not Bridge the Gaps in the 4 A's of Public Transport Passenger Needs - a Review

In the domain of public transport, automation provides several advantages which can lead to better services for the customers. For tapping the full potential of future automated public transport services, passenger requirements have to be thoroughly considered in order to avoid shortcomings discouraging future users to remain or become customers and to support the role of public transit as sustainable backbone of transport. This paper assesses the potential of autonomous bus services with respect to four categories of passenger requirements described as the "4 A´s of Public Transport Passenger Needs": availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability. Based on a review of currently discussed scenarios of automation, benefits and risks regarding the specific needs of different passenger groups are explored for these four categories. Finally, open issues which require special attention or further research are identified.