Possibility of Introducing Autonomous Driving Technology to Administrative Services in Rural Areas

Abstract

The outflow of young people from rural to urban areas as well as an increasingly ageing population are placing a strain on the regional economy. Because of this, the local government has the increasingly crucial role of providing the kind of support for residents that is generally provided by private companies or the residents themselves in urban areas. However, this kind of support in rural areas are not sustainable because of a shortage of labor and the increasing cost to the local government. On the other hand, introducing autonomous driving technology is expected to bring many benefits—not only in urban areas but also in rural areas—and can become part of the mobility solution for people living in rural areas. Although current discussions about autonomous driving largely focus on its effects within urban settings, studies considering the effects on rural areas are rarer. Moreover, almost all studies focus on residentsʼ attitude and preference for autonomous driving. It is not easy in rural areas to ask residents if they would like to use autonomous driving technology in the future—it is difficult for elderlies to imagine nonetheless evaluate a new technology that is still a concept they cannot see. Therefore, this study focuses on administrative services that support those living in rural areas. From the viewpoint of administrative services, this study investigates the effectiveness of introducing autonomous driving technology based on actual survey concerning the use of government vehicles and interviews with local government officials.