UCL PEARL is inviting you to participate in experiments on the interaction between an autonomous shuttle and pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter riders, as part of the LivingLAPT project

The aim of this study is to understand how various means of communication (e.g., visual, audio) can be utilised in different environmental conditions (e.g., lighting, traffic noise) to enable safe and trustworthy interaction between autonomous shuttles and other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter riders.

This study has been approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee (UCL REC, ID 22391/001).

The experiments are going to be carried out for the following scenarios:

(a) Overtaking scenario – an e-scooter rider overtaking a slowly moving autonomous shuttle – in which you would participate both as the e-scooter rider and as one of the passengers on board the autonomous shuttle;

(b) Road crossing scenario – a pedestrian crossing the road with an approaching autonomous shuttle – in which you would participate both as the pedestrian crossing the road and as one of the passengers on board the autonomous shuttle;

(c) Road turning scenario – a cyclist turning on the road with an approaching autonomous shuttle – in which you would participate both as the cyclist and as one of the passengers on board the autonomous shuttle.

As a participant in this study, you will take part in a full day of experiments (9am - 5pm) for all three of the above scenarios. The requirement to participate in this study is having previous experience of riding both an e-scooter and a bicycle. You cannot participate in this study if you need to wear eye-glasses due to their incompatibility with the eye-tracking device (contact lenses are however acceptable). For the full list of eligibility criteria, the risks involved, and necessary preparation steps, please refer to the Participant Information Sheet that had been e-mailed to you.

The experiments for each scenario will be conducted in groups of 4 participants, during 2-hour time slots. Each scenario will consist of repeated experimental runs using different means of communication (visual, audio) and different environmental conditions (lighting, traffic noise). Various measurements and recordings will be taken with eye-tracking devices, an EEG (electroencephalography) cap, and overhead cameras. You will also be asked to fill in a short questionnaire/survey after each experimental run.

If you would like to take part, please register for one day from the available dates. Please note that each day is limited to 4 participants only and it will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

If you choose to take part, you will be compensated with a total of £90 for your participation in a full day of experiments (including your travel).

If you are known to the lead researcher, please note that your participation is voluntary in the sense that you are under no obligation to take part in this study.

Details on how to travel to UCL PEARL can be found here.

LivingLAPT - Autonomous Shuttle Experiments at UCL PEARL