Are We Willing to Relocate with the Future Introduction of Flying Cars? An Exploratory Empirical Analysis of Public Perceptions in the United States

Flying cars, a new transportation mode capable of operating on both land and air, are expected to be introduced in the existing traffic fleet over the next decade or so. Due to their potential in offering flexible mobility patterns, as well as shorter and more reliable travel times, flying cars are anticipated to bring forth significant changes in the urban transportation network. Even though the launch of flying cars is expected relatively soon, potential effects of this new transportation mode on public preferences towards residence location, due to anticipated improvements in mobility access, have not been explored to date. This paper aims to analyse whether a residence relocation trend (from urban to rural areas, or vice versa) is imminent if flying cars are introduced in the not so distant future. In this respect, an online survey was conducted where 584 individuals from the United States participated. The data from this survey are then statistically analysed through correlated grouped random parameters bivariate and univariate probit models, which are capable of accounting for several layers of unobserved heterogeneity. The analysis reveals that various socio-demographic characteristics of the individuals, and their opinions towards the perceived benefits and challenges of flying cars affect public opinions towards considering residence relocation due to the future introduction of flying cars. Although the existing knowledge regarding the operation of flying cars is currently limited, the findings from this study can provide insights into the travel demand, land use, urban and regional planning related challenges likely to be faced in urban and rural areas by policymakers, urban planners, and manufacturing companies, upon the introduction of flying cars