Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have challenges using transportation. Autonomous shuttles (ASs), if accessible, may support their transportation needs. This study quantified the perceptions of AS for adults with and without SCI, before and after riding in the AS. We hypothesized that the perceptions of AS for individuals with SCI would improve, by the greatest magnitude, after riding in the AS. This mixed-method quasi-experimental design included 16 adults with SCI and 16 age-matched controls. While there were no differences between the groups, both groups reported having fewer perceived barriers to using AS after riding in the AS (p = .025). After riding in the AS, both groups stated that the AS must be available, accessible, and affordable if they are to use AS. In conclusion, adults with SCI should experience AS if they are to accept and adopt this mode of transportation.
Keywords: autonomous shuttles; spinal cord injury; transportation equity; user perception.