Influences of Different Traffic Information on Driver Behaviors While Interacting with Oncoming Traffic in Level 2 Automated Driving

Abstract

To practically apply level 2 automated driving in complicated conditions including intersections where events that require manual interventions occur frequently, it is necessary to consider the influences of provided traffic information on driver behaviors. This study performed driving simulator experiments to evaluate the effects of two kinds of information on driver behaviors while interacting with oncoming vehicles at intersections, of which static information informed drivers of the approaching intersections, and sensor information offered the real-time object detection results of the system to drivers. It was observed that the distances to oncoming vehicles at takeover decreased when only the static or sensor information was displayed, and it could be improved when both kinds of information were provided, compared to the condition when no information was offered. Meanwhile, drivers’ feeling of safety significantly increased with the presentation of both kinds of information. The results indicated that the combination of the static and sensor information might improve drivers’ feeling of safety during level 2 automated driving, without delaying drivers’ intervention.