Impact of Varied Minimum Risk Maneuver Alarm Methods on Following Vehicle Drivers in Automated Driving

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of various minimum risk maneuver (MRM) alarm tones on drivers of following vehicles during automatic driving. The necessity of MRM alarm tones was assessed, and drivers' impressions and stress levels were examined based on differences in the waveform of the alarm tones. Twelve participants were engaged in a driving simulation on a highway, and they were required to avoid collisions after the collision avoidance support function (MRM) was activated in an autonomous vehicle driving ahead of them. The experimental conditions included sine wave, triangle wave, square wave, sawtooth wave, and no alarm sound. The results indicated that the presence of alarm tones has a significant effect on preventing abrupt braking and reducing feelings of anxiety in the following vehicle drivers. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between the perception of the alarm sound and the amount of high-frequency components in the waveform.