Impact of Driver Age and Behavior on the Effectiveness of ADAS in Cyclist Safety on Rural Roads: A Simulator Study

The increasing use of bicycles highlights the need for enhanced road safety measures, particularly in interactions between vehicles and cyclists on rural mixed-traffic roads. This study investigates the impact of driver age and behavior on the effectiveness of advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) in improving cyclist safety. Utilizing a driving simulator, the study analyzed the overtaking maneuvers of 300 male participants, categorized by aggressive and passive driving styles, across three age groups: young (20–34), middle-aged (35–49), and older (50–64) drivers. Results showed that younger drivers exhibited more dynamic and erratic behaviors, with significant variations in lateral control (LC) and time to danger (TTD). Specifically, younger driver’s TTD increased by 20% on average, while older drivers maintained consistent caution with a 10% improvement in LC. Aggressive drivers showed a negligible change in behavior, whereas passive drivers demonstrated a 25% improvement in TTD and a 15% enhancement in LC when using ADAS. The findings suggest that tailored ADAS features are necessary to address the diverse responses of different driver demographics. Future ADAS development should incorporate real-world testing, consider psychological factors, and conduct longitudinal studies to optimize safety outcomes. This study provides critical insights for enhancing the design and implementation of ADAS to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists.