Abstract
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) possess significant potential to augment the efficiency of collective transport systems in rural areas, thereby enhancing transport accessibility for rural populations. Further modelling studies focusing specifically on rural collective transport automation are necessary to fully realise this potential, as current research remains disproportionately oriented towards urban contexts. Beyond modelling efforts, it is imperative to involve policymakers in assessing rural AV models, given their critical role in the practical implementation of these solutions within decision-making processes. To address this research lacuna, the present study evaluates AV-based public transport schemes for rural areas, incorporating stakeholder perspectives to provide a holistic analysis. The study proceeds in three phases. Initially, five AV-based public transport schemes (AV scenarios) are defined for two rural case study areas in Italy and Austria. Subsequently, the impacts of these scenarios on both individual and collective accessibility of rural residents are estimated. Finally, the model results are assessed in collaboration with stakeholders from the public transport sector through Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). The MCDA framework incorporates both “manifest” decision criteria directly derived from our accessibility model, and “latent” decision criteria identified through stakeholder engagement, which capture dimensions of accessibility not explicitly quantified by the model. The results reveal that stakeholder input provides a complementary perspective to the model, which sometimes leads to modifications of the preliminary model outcomes. This underscores the importance of integrating modelling studies with stakeholder consultations to enrich the evaluation of rural collective transport automation, thereby facilitating a more nuanced and comprehensive assessment of the benefits and limitations of AV-based transport solutions for rural accessibility.