From Expectation To Experience: A Before And After Survey Of Public Opinion On Autonomous Cars In Saudi Arabia

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are emerging as a transformative innovation in transportation, offering potential benefits in safety, sustainability, and efficiency. Saudi Arabian adoption of AVs aligns with Vision 2030, emphasizing smart mobility through initiatives such as the Riyadh Autonomous Metro and self-driving cars. This study explores Saudi citizens perceptions of AVs before and after exposure to these technologies and examines whether demographic factors age, gender, education level, and driving habits affect acceptance. Using quantitative methods, the findings provide insights into the broader influences shaping AV adoption, highlighting the importance of trust, perceived safety, and convenience. These results can inform policymakers and industry stakeholders on strategies to facilitate successful integration of AVs into Saudi Arabian transportation ecosystem.

💡 Research Summary

The paper investigates how Saudi Arabian citizens’ attitudes toward autonomous vehicles (AVs) evolve before and after exposure to emerging smart‑mobility projects such as the Riyadh Autonomous Metro, robotaxis, and electric buses. Framed within Vision 2030, the authors argue that public acceptance is a critical complement to technical readiness for large‑scale AV deployment.

A quantitative survey was designed in both English and Arabic, comprising 23 items: demographic questions, two items on prior knowledge, and twenty‑one Likert‑scale statements covering early adoption attitudes, environmental concern, trust, and willingness to use AVs. The questionnaire was administered online using a non‑probability convenience sample drawn from residents of Riyadh. Fifty respondents completed the survey (54 % female, 46 % male; 70 % hold a college degree; 66 % are aged 25‑44). Driving frequency varied, with half reporting ≤10 hours per week and 18 % not driving at all.

Descriptive statistics reveal a nuanced picture. The mean rating for “How would you feel about driving on roads alongside autonomous (driverless) cars?” is 2.62 ± 1.18, indicating a neutral‑to‑somewhat‑uncomfortable stance. In contrast, statements that AVs will be easier than manual driving (3.26 ± 0.97) and that within 30 years manual driving may become irresponsible (3.02 ± 1.02) receive moderately positive scores, suggesting optimism about future technology. Environmental items score relatively high (e.g., willingness to pay more for eco‑friendly products = 3.58), reflecting strong ecological awareness among respondents. Trust‑related items also trend above the midpoint (e.g., “I trust autonomous vehicles and would let my family use them” = 3.44; “Using autonomous vehicles will decrease my crash risk” = 3.31). Willingness‑to‑use statements such as “Autonomous vehicles will let me do other tasks while traveling” (3.12) and “Driving in congested areas is stressful” (3.68) indicate perceived convenience benefits.

Cross‑tabulation shows that younger adults (25‑44) and those with higher education exhibit more favorable attitudes across most dimensions. Participants who drive less frequently tend to rate convenience and safety benefits lower, while gender differences are modest; women score slightly higher on environmental and safety concerns.

The authors acknowledge several limitations. The sample size (n = 50) is small and geographically confined to Riyadh, limiting external validity. Convenience sampling may introduce selection bias, and self‑reported Likert responses are susceptible to social desirability effects. Moreover, the paper does not clarify whether the same individuals completed pre‑ and post‑exposure surveys, weakening causal inference about experience‑driven attitude change.

Policy implications are emphasized. To accelerate AV adoption, Saudi authorities should prioritize transparent safety testing, public demonstrations, and targeted education campaigns that address lingering discomfort and trust gaps. Highlighting environmental benefits could resonate with the ecologically conscious segment, especially younger and female respondents. Engaging non‑drivers through public‑transport integration (e.g., autonomous metro) may broaden the user base.

Future research directions include expanding the sample to multiple Saudi cities, employing stratified random sampling, and conducting longitudinal studies that track the same participants over time to isolate the effect of actual AV exposure on attitudes. Incorporating qualitative methods (focus groups, interviews) could also uncover deeper cultural and social nuances influencing acceptance.

Overall, the study provides an early empirical snapshot of Saudi public sentiment toward autonomous vehicles, revealing moderate optimism tempered by residual unease, and offers actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders aiming to align technological rollout with societal readiness.