Driver-centred vehicle automation: using network analysis for agent-based modelling of the driver in highly automated driving systems

Authored by Victoria A Banks, Neville A Stanton

Date Published: 2016

DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2016.1146344

Sponsors: United Kingdom Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

To the average driver, the concept of automation in driving infers that they can become completely `hands and feet free'. This is a common misconception, however, one that has been shown through the application of Network Analysis to new Cruise Assist technologies that may feature on our roads by 2020. Through the adoption of a Systems Theoretic approach, this paper introduces the concept of driver-initiated automation which reflects the role of the driver in highly automated driving systems. Using a combination of traditional task analysis and the application of quantitative network metrics, this agent-based modelling paper shows how the role of the driver remains an integral part of the driving system implicating the need for designers to ensure they are provided with the tools necessary to remain actively in-the-loop despite giving increasing opportunities to delegate their control to the automated subsystems. Practitioner Summary: This paper describes and analyses a driver-initiated command and control system of automation using representations afforded by task and social networks to understand how drivers remain actively involved in the task. A network analysis of different driver commands suggests that such a strategy does maintain the driver in the control loop.

Tags

Situation awareness Adaptive cruise control Representing distributed cognition Human-machine cooperation By-wire Dynamic-systems Mental workload Event analysis Teamwork east Ergonomics