How Automation Level and System Reliability Influence Driver Performance in a Cut-In Situation

This study evaluated the effect of different levels of automation and system reliability on driver performance in a cut-in motorway situation. The study was conducted in the dynamic driving simulator of the BMW Group with 65 participants. Driving data and an electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded. The recorded driving data confirmed an automation effect. Concerning the type of automation, drivers’ response was found to be significantly faster in the manual driving condition than in the partial automated driving condition. Moreover, significant differences were found for the minimum time to collision (TTC) and the maximum deceleration in favor of the manual driving condition. In addition, it was confirmed that system reliability does influence the driver performance in a critical situation. The findings indicate that higher system reliability causes a delay in the brake response time, higher maximum deceleration and lower minimum TTC. Additionally, a close correlation could be seen between the TTC and the subjective criticality. The ECG data did not show effects.