  The increasing shortage of drivers poses a significant threat to vulnerable
populations, particularly seniors and disabled individuals who heavily depend
on public transportation for accessing healthcare services and social events.
Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) emerge as a promising alternative, offering potential
improvements in accessibility and independence for these groups. However,
current designs and studies often overlook the unique needs and experiences of
these populations, leading to potential accessibility barriers. This paper
presents a detailed case study of an autonomous shuttle test specifically
tailored for seniors and disabled individuals, conducted during the early
stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The service, which lasted 13 weeks, catered to
approximately 1500 passengers in an urban setting, aiming to facilitate access
to essential services. Drawing from the safety operator's experiences and
direct observations, we identify critical user experience and safety challenges
faced by vulnerable passengers. Based on our findings, we propose targeted
initiatives to enhance the safety, accessibility, and user education of AV
technology for seniors and disabled individuals. These include increasing
educational opportunities to familiarize these groups with AV technology,
designing AVs with a focus on diversity and inclusion, and improving training
programs for AV operators to address the unique needs of vulnerable
populations. Through these initiatives, we aim to bridge the gap in AV
accessibility and ensure that these technologies benefit all members of
society.
