The study, being undertaken by Innovate UK in partnership with communications company Westbourne, will comprise  workshops with relevant stakeholders such as politicians, academics, manufacturers and insurers. Members of the public will also be invited to attend one of several exhibitions to provide feedback. The study will also examine the feasibility of Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire as a potential test site for the technology.

The study is part of a project led by People in Autonomous Vehicles in Urban Environments (PAVE), a consortium of experts in the field of driverless cars.

James Bethell, MD of Westbourne, said: “The benefits of driverless cars are potentially enormous. But new technologies can often arouse unexpected concerns such as safety and their economic impact. Too often, great new technologies can be delayed if they do not anticipate these concerns. Shale gas, genetically modified foods and nuclear energy are examples of promising technologies that faced resistance when deployed.

“This project is an important step in understanding how government and industry can collaborate to address these worries.”