Keeping drivers focused on driving—even when autopilot or other smart features are engaged—is the focus of a new guidelines from the IIHS. (Image courtesy of Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg News.)
Cars may be getting smarter, but what effect are they having on the people driving them? Recent research indicates that more advanced automation can lead to drivers becoming over-reliant on the systems, thus losing focus on the road ahead. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hopes its new partially automated vehicle design guidelines will help drivers stay engaged.
“Unfortunately, the more sophisticated and reliable automation becomes, the more difficult it is for drivers to stay focused on what the vehicle is doing,” says IIHS President David Harkey. “That’s why systems should be designed to keep drivers actively engaged.”
The SAE International classification system includes five levels of automation with 0 meaning no automation and 5 being a fully autonomous vehicle (AV). Level 5 and beyond vehicles are still in development, which means that the current automation available still requires drivers to be part of the driving process. Most vehicles currently available are classified as Level 2, though manufacturers are steadily releasing vehicles at the next two levels. For levels 0 to 2, the driver still controls the environment. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) help with acceleration, braking and steering, but it is ultimately the driver in charge. For vehicles categorized with Levels 3 or 4, it means the system monitors the driving environment, but the driver must still remain alert to override the system.
“These systems are amazing feats of engineering,” said IIHS Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, lead author of the IIHS recommendations. “But they all suffer from the same problem: they don’t account enough for the behavior of the human being behind the wheel.”
Along with relying too much on automation, studies indicate that fatigue increases when using automation features. Less physical effort to drive can ultimately lead to being more easily distracted. When a system isn’t working properly, such as in the fatal Uber crash in 2018, being distracted by a cellphone can prevent a driver from taking back control.
The IIHS new guidelines urge manufacturers to develop enhanced methods to monitor driver engagement and regain their attention when distracted. New designs should maintain a shared control, allowing for built-in limits for situations in which automation would not be the safest choice.
Changing lanes and overtaking other vehicles is a main point of the guidelines. Some current vehicles with automated lane changing discourage driver input or only need the driver’s hands on the wheels to change lanes. Even though these maneuvers can be performed safely, it can create situations in which the driver initiates the process accidentally.
Lane-centering is another area of focus. The IIHS recommends that drivers should be able to make adjustments and get minimal feedback when properly centered. Once any drifting occurs, there should be more intense support from the vehicle.
While some may be wary of monitoring, driver attention and engagement are necessary for road safety. Some systems make the assumption that a driver is alert if their hands on the wheel or have cameras to determine head orientation. The IIHS believes multiple methods, including the above along with measurement monitoring for manual adjustments and driver response, are needed.
Interested in how researchers are developing new ways to help people keep their eyes on the road? Check out ADI and Jungo Collaborate on In-Cabin Monitoring Technology for Vehicle Safety and Eye-Tracking Technology Aims to Boost Vehicle and Driver Communication.