One of the goals of the CATAPULT project was improving our understanding of the transportation needs of children, the elderly, and people with cognitive or physical impairments, shared Nora. This was achieved by two field tests consisting of rides on automated shuttle buses and regular public transportation. The first took place in Austria, where the project organised test rides for 48 participants in the municipality of Pörtschach, consisting of 24 children aged 13 to 16 and 24 individuals over 65. The second was conducted in Sweden in the city of Linköping, with 25 participants, including 13 individuals over 65, 4 people with cognitive impairments, and 8 with visual impairments. During these rides, a “thinking out aloud” method was used, where participants were encouraged to vocalise their immediate thoughts, experiences, and emotions. This experimental approach allowed for a comprehensive analysis of these under-researched demographic groups’ diverse needs and reactions to both autonomous shuttle and regular transport services.
Bridging the Information Divide
One of the project’s key findings is that there is a significant gap in appropriate transport information for target user groups on both automated shuttle buses and regular public transportation. This lack of information posed a considerable barrier to accessibility, leaving users feeling lost and uncertain about navigating their journeys. Specifically, this included the absence of braille and more visually legible text for the blind and visually impaired. There is also a need for acoustic callouts along with existing visual displays. Additionally, older adults expressed a need for detailed explanations about the behaviour of automated vehicles. Users also expressed a desire for direct communication options, such as contacting remote operators or support staff through an intercom or telephone system.
Nora emphasised the importance of addressing user needs, stating, “The issue often boiled down to either a lack of information or the information not being presented in an accessible manner. This was particularly true for individuals with visual or hearing impairments, who frequently found themselves a little lost.” By identifying this critical gap, the CATAPULT project has laid the groundwork for developing more inclusive and user-friendly information provision strategies.
The Human Touch: Craving Connection in a Digital Age
Another striking discovery was the strong desire for human contact and interaction expressed by transport users interviewed by the project, particularly senior citizens. In an increasingly automated world, the project found that the presence of a physical person on board public transport vehicles was a crucial factor in fostering a sense of comfort and security.
Nora notes that this message was often “coming from senior citizens who are usually restricted in their social encounters. They crave human contact; they want to have a person on board that they can have a small chat with, that can help them get on board or get off board. They want to feel seen,” she explained.
This finding underscores the importance of considering the social and emotional needs of users when designing automated mobility services. While technological advancements may streamline operations and improve efficiency, the CATAPULT project demonstrates that the human element remains vital to an inclusive and welcoming transportation experience.
A Playful Approach to Tackling Real-World Challenges
The CATAPULT project also developed two innovative serious games to address the issues identified during their research. The games were designed to engage transport users and decision-makers in planning and understanding automated mobility services.
©CATAPULT route planning serious game session.
The first is a route planning game, tested and piloted in Leuven, Belgium. This game has great potential to improve participatory planning processes for automated transport. Currently, the local government of Greater Brussels has plans to deploy automated shuttle buses within the next five to ten years, and they have signed a contract for approximately ten buses. This game involved senior citizens in the planning process of designing optimal routes and stops for these automated shuttle buses. 35 participants sat around a map and decided on the best locations for stops, which routes the shuttle should take, and which stops should be prioritised. This process lasted for six rounds of play. By engaging users directly in the planning process, the project ensured that their needs and preferences were considered.
©CATAPULT awareness serious game board.
The second game, an awareness game, was developed to put political decision-makers in the shoes of the target user groups when using public transport. This game was played with political decision-makers in Pörtschach, Austria, twice, with around eight participants. The game used different personas, such as senior citizens, people with impairments, tech-averse individuals, and children, to help decision-makers understand the challenges these user groups face when using public transport. The game presented various scenarios and challenges, such as navigating a bus without a driver, and asked participants to consider how they would react in these situations.
By fostering empathy and understanding, this game sought to bridge the gap between policy and real-world experiences. As project coordinator, Nora says, “most were surprised and moved by the issues people with impairments have to face,” adding, “I just had not considered that’ or ‘I was not aware’ was often said.”
Nora also highlighted the effectiveness of these games, noting, “The main takeaway of a serious game is that it’s not about winning; it’s about the process of playing and the experience you have while playing.”
The success of these serious games in the CATAPULT project showcases their potential as powerful tools for public engagement and educating decision-makers. The route planning game in Belgium demonstrated how involving users in the planning process can lead to more inclusive and accessible automated mobility services, while the awareness game in Pörtschach showed how immersive experiences can help decision-makers better understand the needs and challenges of different user groups. By providing a fun, interactive, and immersive way to explore complex issues, serious games can help break down barriers, generate valuable insights, and drive meaningful change in developing and implementing inclusive automated mobility solutions.
The Road Ahead
While the CATAPULT project has made significant strides in addressing the needs of under-researched user groups, Nora acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. The slow pace of technological development and the challenges posed by safety regulations and legal frameworks present ongoing hurdles in the implementation of fully inclusive automated mobility services.
However, the project has also identified potential benefits that could be realised with the right approach. For instance, the slower speeds of automated shuttle buses, which may be frustrating for some users, could benefit senior citizens who appreciate a more leisurely journey. “Elderly people don’t mind that they drive very slowly; they are okay with that. They are not in a hurry; for senior citizens sitting inside automated transport, they have a lot of windows and get to see what’s going on outside, so they don’t mind if it takes half an hour to get somewhere relatively close by,” Nora pointed out.
This insight highlights the importance of considering different user groups’ diverse needs and preferences when designing automated mobility services. What may be seen as a limitation by some could be a valuable feature for others, emphasising the need for a flexible and adaptable approach to inclusive transportation.
Nora argues the success of the CATAPULT project can be attributed, in part, to the strong partnerships forged between the four participating organisations: Austria Tech, Factum (another Austrian partner), KU Leuven (Belgium), and RISE (Sweden). She praised the collaboration, stating, “I have to say this was one of our biggest benefits. And it was the best partnership we have ever experienced.”
Through its innovative approach, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity, the CATAPULT project has set a standard for research and development in the field of automated mobility. As we move into an increasingly automated world, the lessons learnt and the tools developed by this project will play a crucial role in shaping a more connected, sustainable, and equitable future for all.
Policy Recommendations
The insights gathered throughout the CATAPULT project have been compiled into a set of policy recommendations for inclusive automated buses, freely available on the CATAPULT website. These recommendations underscore the critical importance of user engagement and the consideration of diverse user requirements in the planning and deploying automated mobility services. They serve as a roadmap for policymakers, transport authorities, and technology providers, guiding them towards a more inclusive and user-centric approach to automated mobility.