ANALYSIS OF DRIVER VEHICLE INTERACTION IN A STUDY ON ASSESSMENT METHODS OF DRIVER ACCEPTANCE OF AUTOMATIC LANE CHANGE SYSTEMS

Abstract

In recent years, with increased interest in high levels of automated driving assistance systems such as automatic lane change systems, the need for a reliable assessment tool for driver acceptance has arisen. Because acceptance depends on individuals, it can only be based on an individual‟s personal attitudes, expectations, and experiences. Accordingly, only subjective evaluation methods have been utilized for assessing drivers‟ acceptance of newly developed driver assistance systems. In this paper, an investigation of the effect of vehicle dynamic behavior and the traffic environment on drivers‟ acceptance is described in consideration of a study on a reliable solution for the objective evaluation of drivers‟ acceptance of an automatic lane change system. In order to conduct the investigation, a specific test program is designed and a massive database including information on drivers, vehicles, and traffic environments is constructed with a selected group of 19 drivers. Then, some possibilities for the development of an objective evaluation method are shown as results of the subjective acceptance; results are then compared and discussed with respect to behavioral parameters of drivers and vehicles. The results of this investigation can be not only the basis for the development of an objective evaluation method for drivers‟ acceptance, but can also be used to suggest design criteria for control strategies for any automated driving assistance systems.