Public Perception on Safety of Autonomous Ferry in the Norwegian Context

This study explores perceived safety of autonomous ferries by public in the Vestfold and Telemark region of Norway. There is a greater focus on automation of ships in this region, largely due the developed of the Yara Birkeland project in the region. The prevalence of existing ferry services in the region makes it natural to knot the technological development together and explore prospects of autonomous ferries. Using structured web-surveys, we found that respondents prefer lower degree of automation, mainly ships with Decision Support System (DSS) and semi-autonomous ships controlled from a Remote Control Center (RCC) with reduced crew on abord. Respondents are skeptical towards fully RCC controlled as well as fully autonomous ferries. Among the respondents, male sample, those very good at swimming as well as technology, and those using ferry once every month are relatively optimistic about safety of autonomous ferries. On the other hand, older people perceive autonomous ferry more risky than younger ones.