Learning and development of trust, acceptance and the mental model of ACC. A longitudinal on-road study. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beggiato, Matthias; Pereira, Marta; Petzoldt, Tibor; Krems, Josef
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 35(2016)
• Page Start: 75
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Adaptive cruise control -- Automation -- Mental model -- Trust -- Acceptance -- Power law of learning; Automobile drivers -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Automobile driving -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 629.283019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2015.10.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8478

Abstract

Highlights: Longitudinal on-road study with ten consecutive trips on a standardised route. Power law of learning applies in case of prior information on system limitations. Stabilization of trust, acceptance and learning at a high level after five trips. System limitations that were not experienced tend to drop out of the mental model. Periodic reminder of system's limitations recommended. Abstract: To harness the potential of advanced driver assistance systems, drivers must learn how to use them in a safe and appropriate manner. The present study investigates the learning process, as well as the development of trust, acceptance and the mental model for interacting with adaptive cruise control (ACC). Research questions aim to model the learning process in mathematical/statistical terms, examine moments and conditions when these processes stabilize, and assess how experience changes the mental model of the system. A sample of fifteen drivers without ACC experience drove a test vehicle with ACC ten consecutive times on the same route within a 2-month period. All participants were fully trained in ACC functionality by reading the owner's manual in the beginning. Results show that learning, as well as the development of acceptance and trust in ACC follows the power law of learning. All processes stabilize at a relatively high level after the fifth session, which corresponds to 185 km or 3.5 h of driving. No decline is observable with ongoing system experience. However, limitations that are not experienced tend to disappear from the mental model if they are not activated by experience. Therefore, it is recommended that users be periodically reminded of system limitations (e.g. by intelligent tutoring systems) to make sure that corresponding knowledge nodes are activated.