e CityMobil2 project is to set up a pilot platform for ARTS which could be used to investigate
the technical, financial, legal, cultural, and behavioural aspects that have an impact on how well new systems can fit
into existing infrastructure in different cities (see www.citymobil2.eu for more information). As part of this project,
the current study focuses on the users’ expectancies which might influence behavioural intentions regarding use of
ARTS, addressed at two locations – La Rochelle in France, and Lausanne in Switzerland.
The demonstration of ARTS took place in La Rochelle from November 2014 to April 2015, and in Lausanne
from April to August 2015. The ARTS vehicles in La Rochelle provided a service along a popular tourist route in
the Minimes district of the city. The total length of the route was 1,710 m, and it contained 7 station stops. In
Lausanne, ARTS were situated in the West Region to provide a link between a metro station and key working
sites/campuses in the district. The length of the route there was 1585 m and there were 6 fixed stops. Both vehicles
could hold up to 12 persons per vehicle and both shared road space with pedestrians (see Figure 2). The ARTS in La
Rochelle also shared space with vehicle traffic on part of its routes. The maximum speed of the ARTS vehicles was
45 kph, although they travelled at much slower speeds in reality (approx.12 kph). For legal and safety reasons, both
vehicles had an operator on board who intervened in the operation and maneuvering of the vehicle when necessary.
CityMobil2 is the first project in Europe to investigate the interaction of the public with ARTS across a range of
cities and countries. These demonstration vehicles allow the public to gain an understanding of what future forms of
automated transport might look like, while also enabling designers, planners etc. to gain user input into the factors
which might improve the usefulness/acceptance of these vehicles as an alternative mode of public transport. It is