Assessing driver behaviour at the limits of system function for automated driving

Abstract

When The aim of this study was to investigate effects of different methods of handing control back to drivers on drivers' performance. A driving simulator with thirty-six participants was used for this. The following tree methods were evaluated; ( Method A) handing all control of driving back to the drivers immediately after the limits of system functioning were reached caused by heavy fog, (Method B) continuing automated driving at a less accurate level by using facilities unaffected by heavy fog, (Method C) decreasing vehicle speeds in addition to Method B. Results showed that there was a possibility that compared to Method A drivers could resume control safely and drive more smoothly with Method B and C. Potential implication on system design of automated driving will be discussed in response to differences in the taking-over methods.