Test of HMI Alternatives for Driver Support to Keep Safe Speed and Safe Distance - A Simulator Study

Abstract

This paper describes a driving simulator trial to evaluate driver reactions to a number of alternative informa-tion/warning modes of a multi-modal system for the " safe speed and safe distance " concept. In 2006, eight Human Ma-chine Interaction alternatives, consisting of a combination of visual, haptic and auditory modes were used alternatively to give information/warning to the driver on safe speed, safe distance and the prevailing speed limit. Thirty-four test drivers drove once without the SASPENCE system and twice with the system. The system did not affect the speed behaviour of the driver in either normal conditions or sharp curves. The average number of alarms was slightly larger when driving with the system. The haptic HMI alternative -the combination of force feedback in the accelerator pedal and vibration of the seat belt for speed warning and pulsation in the accelerator pedal for distance warning -gave the lowest proportion of time of being in an unsafe situation, and improved driver-reaction time most. This haptic alternative also resulted in the most positive driver ratings/experiences of the system. The visual alternatives used were positively rated by the drivers, but no clear differences between them could be found according to opinions.