Consumer perceptions, understanding, and expectations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and vehicle automation

Abstract

Consumers are faced with an increasingly complex decision process as novel safety technologies become commonplace in new vehicles. Consumers’ knowledge of these systems is potentially limited given the recent introduction and constant evolution of ADAS. We examined consumers’ understanding and perceptions of ADAS and vehicle automation in a national survey. Our analysis focused on consumers’ understanding of how certain driving tasks that can be automated (e.g., steering, braking, navigation, etc.) maps onto proposed levels of vehicle automation. Additionally, we report what sources of information and methods of education consumers prefer to utilize when learning about new safety systems. These data can inform new driver training, public policy and transportation goals of how best to educate the motoring public about new vehicle technologies and the capabilities of next-generation automated vehicles as well as facilitate public acceptance of higher levels of vehicle automation.