Attitudes Toward the Use of Conditional Automated Vehicles in the Technology Acceptance Model Framework: Evidence from an Italian Sample

Automated vehicles (AVs) have the potential to significantly enhance road safety, traffic efficiency, and mobility access by supporting or replacing human control during driving. However, the success of this transition hinges on people’s attitudes. This study explores the dimensionality and factor interactions in the adaptation of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to conditional AVs applied to an Italian sample, to provide a new perspective on the acceptance of the intermediate level of driving automation. After evaluating the content and relevance of the subscales, we analyzed responses from 201 Italian-speaking individuals collected through a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the scale’s factor structure and interrelations. Results indicate that most items demonstrated satisfactory fit and the questionnaire maintained its overall factor structure in the Italian context. Interestingly, an unmediated effect of the Perceived Utility of AVs—and, to a lesser extent, concerns with the manufacturer’s compliance with ethical data treatment procedures—were found on the intention to use AVs. These findings contribute to the understanding of factors influencing the acceptance of AVs. They underscore the importance of users’ perceptions of both practical utility and proper privacy safeguarding in determining the acceptance of the described AV technology. The implications for the development of TAM extensions and future research directions are also discussed.