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Investigating the effects of age and disengagement in driving on driver’s takeover control performance in highly automated vehicles

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Shuo LiORCiD, Professor Phil BlytheORCiD, Dr Anil Namdeo

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Driving is closely linked to older people’s mobility and independence. However, age-related functional decline reduces their safe driving abilities and thereby their wellbeing may decline. The rapid development of vehicle automation has the potential to enhance the mobility of older drivers by enabling them to continue driving safer for longer. So far only limited work has been carried out to study older drivers’ interaction with highly automated vehicles (HAV). This study investigates the effect of age and level of driving disengagement on the takeover control performance in HAV. A driving simulation study with 76 drivers has been conducted. Results showed that 20 s was sufficient for drivers to take over control from HAV. Older drivers take longer to respond and make decisions than younger drivers. The age effect on some aspects of takeover quality, in terms of operating steering wheel and pedals, is still pronounced. In addition, complete disengagement in driving in HAV leads to a longer takeover time and worse takeover quality, and it affects older drivers more seriously than younger drivers. The results highlight that an age-friendly design of human-machine interaction is important for enhancing the safety and comfort of older drivers when interacting with HAVs.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Li S, Blythe P, Guo W, Namdeo A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Transportation Planning and Technology

Year: 2019

Volume: 42

Issue: 5

Pages: 470-497

Online publication date: 02/05/2019

Acceptance date: 21/03/2019

Date deposited: 03/05/2019

ISSN (print): 0308-1060

ISSN (electronic): 1029-0354

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060.2019.1609221

DOI: 10.1080/03081060.2019.1609221


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
EP/K037579/1EPSRC
EP/N010612/1EPSRC
EP/P001173/1EPSRC
EP/P001173/1EPSRC

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