Field observations of interactions among drivers at unsignalized urban intersections

Abstract

Interactions among drivers are an essential part of the driving task and need to be considered in the design of interaction strategies of automated vehicles. Interactions between drivers relevant to left and right turns in unsignalized urban intersections were recorded via an eye glass mounted gaze sensor. Participants were asked to retrospectively comment aloud on the process of their decision making for each case of interaction. The typical sequences of actions that were observed relevant to left and right turns may be used as a basis for designing turning strategies for automated vehicles. Establishing eye contact was considered as a good means to convince the other driver to yield, while avoiding eye contact was interpreted as unwillingness to do so. Vehicle edging was intentionally used by participants so that the other coming drivers could better see them. Automated vehicles should consider using edging and directed communication to other drivers in their interaction strategies.