Adaptive driving support: information about the vehicle's lateral position

In the car-driver system several task components carried out by the driver can potentially be taken over by the car. However, when designing such a support system, automation problems are lurking. In the adaptive automation literature a proposed solution to traditional automation disadvantages is to apply assistance only when necessary to sustain goal states. We have conducted a driving simulator experiment in which effects of providing driving support on lateral control in two modes, permanent and adaptive, have been evaluated. Indicators of driver's performance status and subjective ratings of both mental workload and user acceptance were assessed. Driving support was implemented as an icon reflecting the lateral position projected on the windscreen as a head-up display. When adaptive, driving support was switched on and off based on average lateral positioning behaviour to indicate increasing safety risks rather than an emergency signal. Not all drivers made use of the feedback information, but the results showed positive effects, particularly for the adaptive feedback condition (A).