Two Methods to Bring Drivers Back Better into the Loop after Automated Driving at SAE Level 3

Abstract

Vehicles offering conditional automated driving (SAE Level 3 [1]) are now becoming available worldwide. At this automated driving level, it is possible for drivers to engage in non-driving related activities while the vehicle takes over all lateral and longitudinal maneuvers. However, drivers must remain fallback ready to reengage control when requested to do so by the vehicle. Human factors research in automation has for a long time established that it is difficult for drivers, who are out-of-the-loop, to quickly, effectively, and safely re-engage in the driving task. This video submission presents two methods to increase the acceptability and safety of automated driving at SAE level 3. These methods were developed in the EU Horizon 2020 project HADRIAN (Holistic Approach for Driver Role Integration and Automation Allocation for European Mobility Needs; https://hadrianproject.eu/). The first method makes the duration of SAE L3 drives more predictable and expectable to the driver by displaying the duration. Duration information is received by road infrastructure messages that are sent to the vehicle. Also, the amount of time that a driver has to reengage manual control after driving at SAE L3 is predicted and displayed to the driver. The second method provides the driver with various types of learning information and feedback to help improve the driver's skills in handling the automated vehicle. Detailed analyses describing the impact of these methods are currently under investigation and will be reported soon.