Zhang N, Fard M, Davy JL, Parida S, Robinson SR. Is driving experience all that matters? Drivers' takeover performance in conditionally automated driving.
JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2023;
87:323-331. [PMID:
38081705 DOI:
10.1016/j.jsr.2023.08.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
In conditionally automated driving, drivers are allowed to engage in non-driving related tasks (NDRTs) and are occasionally requested to take over vehicle control in situations that the automation system cannot handle. Drivers may not be able to adequately perform such requests if they have limited driving experience. This study investigates the influence of driving experience on takeover performance in conditionally automated driving.
METHOD
Nineteen subjects participated in this driving simulator study. The NDRTs consisted of three tasks: writing business emails (working condition), watching videos (entertaining condition), and taking a break with eyes closed (resting condition). These three NDRTs require drivers to invest high, moderate, and low levels of mental workload, respectively. The duration of engagement in each NDRT before a takeover request (TOR) was either 5 minutes (short interval) or 30 minutes (long interval).
RESULTS
Drivers' driving experience and performance during the control period are highly correlated with their TOR performance. Furthermore, the type and duration of NDRT influence TOR performance, and inexperienced drivers exhibit poorer TOR performance than experienced drivers.
CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
These findings have relevance for the types of NDRTs that ought to be permitted during automated driving, the design of automated driving systems, and the formulation of regulations regarding the responsible use of automated vehicles.
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