Facebook Photo/Waymo
By Suelen Rivera
KTAR.com
Seniors and the disabled in the East Valley find self-driving vehicles preferable over conventional taxis and rideshare options, a recent study found.
A report released by the Federal Transit Administration last week showed for the senior population and Americans with Disabilities Act paratransit-certified riders, autonomous vehicles provided a “safe, convenient travel solution.”
Valley Metro, in collaboration with ASU and Waymo, found AV riders were satisfied in regards to wait time, travel time, comfort and ease of requesting a ride, officials said in a press release.
Furthermore, riders in the study said they were engaged in more activities outside of the home and believe they would feel comfortable riding without an AV specialist.
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“The insights gained through this first-of-its-kind partnership support developing a product and service that holds the promise of enabling mobility for all, offering a new kind of freedom for individuals to go where they want, when they want,” Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnership for Waymo, said in the release.