Simulator evaluation of an intersection maneuver assist system with connected and automated vehicle technologies

Abstract

Intersection crashes can be potentially mitigated through vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) safety management systems. It is important, however, to consider some of the human factors related aspects of such systems to maximise potential safety benefits. In this study, Intersection Manoeuvre Assistance Systems were conceptualised and evaluated in a driving simulator. The systems were designed to assist drivers with intersection manoeuvres by making use of connected infrastructure and providing real-time feedback, guidance, and active vehicle controls. The study compared drivers’ confidence, workload, glances at the instrument panel, and hazard anticipation when driving using three systems—System A (no alert or assist); System B (alert only); and System C (alert and assist). Study results show differences in drivers’ confidence in such systems and potentially degraded visual gaze behaviours.

Practitioner summary: Connected infrastructure-based intersection management assistance systems can potentially reduce crashes. This experimental driving simulation study evaluated drivers’ perceptions and reactions to intersection management systems. Results indicate reduced confidence in automated systems, reduced visual scanning for external hazards at intersections, and increased off-road glances towards the instrument panel.

Keywords:

• Connected vehicles
• vehicle automation
• human machine interface
• hazard anticipation
• driving simulation

Acknowledgements

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program, in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The original design thresholds for the time to collision (calculated as simple time to collision) was approximately 3.5 seconds for “Brake” scenarios, and approximately 6 seconds for the “Accelerate” scenario. However, the actual programming of these scenarios on the driving simulator platform was less governed by the TTC design, and more by the simulation of the scenario wherein a conflicting vehicle had to dynamically adjust its speed to match the participant vehicle’s trajectory to simulate a condition where a potential crash could be perceived by the participant, and thus lend validity to a “brake” or “accelerate” advice. Given the simulator programming platform and its capabilities (and limitations) often these scenarios were programmed and then tweaked to ensure the subjective ‘feel’ of the conflict was realistic given the simulator setup (Screen size, lateral visibility, etc).

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this research was provided by the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation under Grant No. 69A3551747105 of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), University Transportation Centers Program.