Assessment of human machine interface concepts for green driving support systems

This paper presents the approach and methodology of two driving simulator experiments investigating predictive driving advice conducted within the European research project ecoDriver. Together with BMW Research and Technology, two studies have been performed using the dynamic driving simulator of the Institut fur Kraftfahrzeuge (ika) of RWTH Aachen University. The conducted experiments were designed to evaluate user acceptance of advanced and predictive green driving support systems and HMI concepts. Within the first driving simulator study, ika created a setup to determine which point in time is most accepted by the driver to receive predictive driving advice. In addition to this, the second study featured user acceptance of variations of a new HMI concept created by BMW. This approach aims at providing the driver with coloured feedback and support in terms of predictive green driving behaviour. This paper presents the approach, methodology and results of the conducted experiments with special focus on coasting behaviour.