Robotaxis in China: Firsthand perspectives of traffic law enforcement officers from Chinese cities with operational fleets

The rapid deployment of autonomous vehicle technologies, particularly robotaxis, offers numerous benefits such as improved mobility and traffic efficiency. However, these innovations also present unique challenges for traffic management and law enforcement. This study conducted an online survey specifically targeting traffic law enforcement officers in Chinese cities with operational robotaxi fleets, such as Luobo Kuaipao, which provide on-demand ride-hailing services across more than 10 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chongqing. The survey received over 4,000 responses from officers in these cities, gathering essential data on their perceptions of robotaxi deployment, attitudes toward its integration, and concerns related to safety, compliance, and day-to-day operations. Results show that surveyed officers generally held favorable views toward robotaxis, with many believing that robotaxis improve safety compared to traditional taxis and enhance traffic efficiency. However, significant concerns remain regarding safety, rule compliance, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Fisher’s exact tests and statistical models were employed to examine the relationships between these perceptions and various factors, identifying key influences such as officers’ familiarity with automation technology, prior experience with robotaxis, and perceptions of robotaxi driving behavior. Officers who were more familiar with automation technology, had prior experience with robotaxis, and rated robotaxi driving behavior positively were more likely to support their operations. The findings provide valuable insights into the perspectives of those on the frontline of traffic management and offer recommendations for policymakers to better support the integration of self-driving vehicles into urban transportation systems.