Interaction of Human, Machine, and Environment in Automated Driving Systems

Abstract

In view of the increase in traffic volume and growing demands on traffic, alternative mobility concepts such as automation of the driving task are increasingly being investigated. In line with this course of development project KONVOI was initiated, where an interdisciplinary research team carried out the electronic coupling of trucks. Because the technical feasibility of such automated systems had already been proved, project KONVOI focused on quantifying the impact of automated systems on traffic and on the interaction between humans and machines. Technical development of the system took place with preferential consideration of the human being. The KONVOI system was analyzed for acceptance and the potential workload by using test people in a driving simulator. The test results had a direct effect on the technical development of the system. After approval of the prototype, the traffic effects of the KONVOI system were examined in the context of real German highways. The results of this impact analysis served as a comparison of the developmental concept and evaluation of the system. Open questions concerning the effects of the KONVOI system on car drivers were investigated through additional test drives in the driving simulator. In project KONVOI, an automated system was run in real traffic for the first time in Europe. This testing and the strong consideration of the human being in the development process have provided new insights into the development of driver assistant systems and automated driving systems.