Baseline Research Program: Potential for optimising the benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) through understanding behavioural adaptation

Extensive research has found that advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) confer a range of behavioural and safety benefits. In particular, many commonly available technologies such as electronic stability control, autonomous emergency braking and active lane keep assist systems are associated with significant reductions in the risk of crash involvement. However, while ADAS has been shown to result in improved road safety and efficiency, automating part of the driving task can introduce a new set of demands for drivers. These consequences are called behavioural adaptation. Behavioural adaptation refers to the negative change(s) in driver behaviour due to the presence or use of ADAS that are unintended or unexpected by system designers. This project aimed to understand the use or misuse of ADAS by Australian drivers, including the barriers and facilitators to the correct use of ADAS; how ADAS impact drivers’ behaviour and perceptions of safety and risk; and how the use of ADAS may change driver behaviour in negative or unintended ways. A mixed-method approach was used, which comprised a targeted review of relevant literature, interviews with car dealerships, focus groups with drivers, and a large comprehensive survey of drivers from all States and Territories in Australia. The combined results demonstrate that safety, value for money, and previous positive experiences are all facilitators for the uptake and use of ADAS. In contrast, inconsistency in terminology and a ‘learn-as-you-go’ approach may interfere with understanding of what features are fitted and in turn be a barrier for uptake and correct use. Results also demonstrated that drivers may not realise any behavioural adaptations to ADAS unless they are prompted to think about it. The importance of previous positive and/or negative experiences with ADAS (interms of false positives or perceived crash avoidance) in trust, acceptability and perceived effectiveness of the systems were also highlighted. Therefore, the results demonstrate the need to promote the demonstrated safety aspects of ADAS to increase uptake, and possibly counteract the negative effects of false positives noting that advancements in technology already being introduced are likely to reduce the occurrence of false positives. Further emphasis on ADAS as a new technology to support safety is likely to increase uptake, as is providing approved and accurate longer-term support for drivers for whom the ADAS functions are new. This in turn is likely to enhance the already demonstrated significant road safety benefits of ADAS.