The proportion of highly automated vehicles in traffic (i.e., the
prevalence of AVs) is likely to increase over time. The aim of this
study was to investigate whether the prevalence of AVs may in-
fluence how pedestrians interact with AVs and with conventional,
human-driven vehicles (CVs). A video-based laboratory study was
conducted using a two-group mixed design. Participants took the
perspective of pedestrians about to cross the road in a situation
where AVs (with eHMIs) and CVs were approaching their position.
The prevalence of AVs was manipulated between groups (low/high).
The participants indicated the moment they decided to cross in
front of the vehicles. Our results show that AV prevalence did
indeed significantly influence when participants decided to cross.
Overall, participants decided to cross earlier in front of the more
prevalent vehicle type. Therefore, taking into account the given
prevalence of AVs could significantly benefit AVs in predicting
pedestrian behavior.