‘We Need Time…’: An Expert Survey on Societal Acceptance of Urban Drones

Ning Wang, Nico Mutzner and Karl Blanchet

Science and Public Policy, 2025, vol. 52, issue 3, 356-374

Abstract: Drones are rapidly becoming integral components of urban air mobility. Their integration into urban environments hinges not just on broader public sentiments but also on the perceptions of experts who drive their development, deployment, and management. This study delves into experts’ perspectives on urban drones to supplement existing knowledge by improving the understanding of acceptance factors and associated challenges. The results indicate that themes of privacy, safety, and regulation are recurring. Notably, trust towards different institutions deploying drones varies, while the need for dedicated awareness and education efforts to inform public understanding is an emergent theme. Overall, the insights gained accentuate the importance of governance strategies that consider all stakeholders’ viewpoints and the intertwined nature of challenges they are faced with. This calls for the scientific community to support the development of effective framework conditions alongside enhanced stakeholder collaborations towards a smooth integration of urban drones in society.

Keywords: societal acceptance; urban air mobility; public perception; expert opinion; governance strategy; value-sensitive innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:oup:scippl:v:52:y:2025:i:3:p:356-374.

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