Results of Annual Victorian Self-Driving Vehicle Survey

More than 15,000 Victorian motorists participated in one of the world’s largest surveys of attitudes to self-driving cars, and the results are in!

Self-driving car technologies such as lane keeping assistance are increasingly offered by the latest production cars in Australia. Hands-free driving on EastLink and other suitable freeways is expected within the next few years (subject to legislative changes).

EastLink is working in partnership with VicRoads, the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB), La Trobe University and RACV to identify opportunities to improve the compatibility between the latest self-driving car technologies and freeway infrastructure. Cars have been provided by a wide range of manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Tesla and Volvo.

To complement this trials program, EastLink with support from ARRB has now completed the first Annual Victorian Self-Driving Vehicle Survey. More than 15,000 Victorian motorists completed the survey, making it one of the world’s largest surveys of motorists’ attitudes to self-driving cars.

Key survey results include:

• More than half of respondents are no longer considering a traditional petrol combustion engine for their next car. A third of respondents are now considering hybrid power as an option for their next car. A quarter are considering the 100% battery electric vehicle option. Is Australia now ready to set a final date for the sale of new petrol/diesel cars in favour of hybrid and 100% battery electric vehicles?
• The majority of respondents say they have very little or no knowledge of self-driving cars. More and better information about self-driving cars needs to be provided to Victorian motorists.
• More than half of respondents want lane keeping assistance (also known as highway autopilot) in their next car, which should encourage manufacturers to continue to roll out this feature and ensure it works effectively on our freeways.
• Even though hands-free driving on our freeways is not yet available, one in three respondents already want this feature in their next car.
• The majority of respondents want their next car to be connected to a data network to receive traffic and road condition warnings, vehicle security and automatic emergency assistance.

Download the media release which includes summary survey results:

  171009-EastLink-Announces-Results-of-First-Annual-Victorian-Self-Driving-Vehicle-Survey.pdf