10 Key Human Factors in AV Testing & Certification

Self-driving cars are coming, but we need to make sure they're safe and user-friendly. Here are the 10 crucial human factors for testing and approving autonomous vehicles (AVs):

1. Driver alertness
2. Easy-to-use controls
3. Understanding surroundings
4. Trusting the car's abilities
5. Switching between human and car control
6. Human-car collaboration
7. Mental effort required
8. Driver education
9. Accessibility for all users
10. Handling emergencies

These factors bridge the gap between human behavior and machine logic to ensure safe AV use.

Key takeaways:

• Only 12% of people kept hands on wheel when asked to take over
• It can take up to 40 seconds for full takeover at highway speeds
• 99% of self-driving car accidents were caused by human error

Quick Comparison:

Factor	Challenge	Solution
Alertness	Drivers zoning out	Driver Monitoring Systems
Controls	Complex interfaces	Simple, intuitive designs
Trust	Low public confidence	Transparent communication
Handovers	Slow reaction times	Improved takeover alerts
Emergencies	Unpredictable situations	Extensive testing and training

The road to fully autonomous vehicles is long, but addressing these human factors will help create safer self-driving technology.

Related video from YouTube

Driver Alertness

Driver alertness is crucial for AV testing and certification. It's all about keeping drivers focused in self-driving cars.

Here's the deal:

Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) use cameras and sensors to track the driver's face and eyes. They can spot if you're zoning out or nodding off.

If the DMS catches you slipping, it might:

• Blast an alarm
• Light up the car's interior
• Hit the brakes if things get dicey

Check out how some car brands use DMS:

Car Maker	DMS Features
Subaru	DriverFocus: Yells at you after 3 seconds of distraction
Lexus	DMS pioneer in passenger cars (2006)
Tesla	Autopilot: Cuts crash risk by 75%

DMS isn't just a fancy extra. It's becoming a big deal:

• EU now wants DMS for top safety ratings
• US, EU, and China might make DMS a must-have soon

Why? Because human error caused 95% of car crashes in 2020, according to the US National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. DMS could help slash that number.

For AV makers, solid DMS tech is a smart move. It keeps drivers safe and helps meet new rules.

But DMS isn't perfect. It's got to balance safety and privacy. And as cars get smarter, DMS needs to keep up.

2. Easy-to-Use Controls

Car makers are focusing on user-friendly controls as vehicles get smarter. It's crucial for safety and comfort, especially in self-driving cars.

Ford's BlueCruise lets drivers go hands-free on certain roads. It uses over 100,000 miles of pre-mapped roads. Simple, right?

GM's Super Cruise is similar. It maintains distance from the car ahead and keeps you centered in your lane. GM says:

"Super Cruise allows hands-free driving when conditions permit. But drivers must stay alert."

These systems aim to reduce workload while keeping drivers engaged.

It's not just about physical controls. How cars communicate matters too. A study found chat-like interfaces were more trusted than graphics:

Measure	Graphical Interface	Chat Interface
Trust	3.702	4.455
Perceived intelligence	3.028	3.563
Likability	3.056	3.672

For fully self-driving cars, passenger comfort is key. Controls might include:

• Choosing driving styles
• Adjusting cabin settings
• Emergency overrides

The goal? Make these controls intuitive, whether by voice, touch, or buttons.

As cars evolve, clear info display is crucial. Tesla's Autopilot, for instance, changes its display based on the car's actions. It's all about keeping drivers in the loop.

3. Understanding Surroundings

Knowing what's around the car is crucial in AV testing. Why? It's all about safety, especially when switching between auto and manual driving.

The Dutch Safety Board found something interesting: many AV accidents happened because drivers weren't clued in on their surroundings. This shows why testing driver awareness is a big deal.

Here's the thing: AVs use AI to drive, but current systems aren't great at situational awareness. So, what's the fix? Researchers are cooking up "hybrid AI" - a mix of data-learning and expert knowledge.

A team including TNO, CWI, and the University of Amsterdam is testing this new AI in different vehicles:

Vehicle	Goal
Cars	Safer roads
Lorries	Better freight transport
Buses	Improved public transit
Trains	Safer rail travel

The aim? Predict what other road users will do. It's key for safe driving in tricky situations.

Now, let's talk automation levels. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) breaks it down like this:

Level	What it means
0	No automation
1	Driver assistance
2	Partial automation
3	Conditional automation
4	High automation
5	Full automation

Level 2 is tricky. Drivers need to watch the system without actively controlling it. Remember the 2018 Uber taxi accident? The test driver wasn't paying attention - that's the problem with Level 2.

So, what should AV makers do?

1. Create clear interfaces showing what the car "sees"
2. Test how well drivers stay aware during automated driving
3. Build systems that keep drivers alert

Bottom line: Understanding surroundings is key to safe AV testing and operation.

4. Believing in the Car's Abilities

Trust is a big deal when it comes to self-driving cars. A Washington State University study found that trust trumps knowledge in accepting autonomous vehicles (AVs).

Here's the scoop:

• 44% of Americans aren't fans of AVs (Pew Research, 2022)
• A whopping 91% of drivers don't trust self-driving vehicles (AAA survey)
• Only 9% of people said they trusted AVs

Why the trust issues? High-profile crashes haven't helped. Take the Cruise robotaxi incident where it ran over a woman already hit by another car. Yikes.

So, how can AV makers build trust?

1. Be upfront about limitations
2. Show how AVs work
3. Give people safe AV experiences

Kathryn Robinson-Tay from WSU puts it this way: "Trust, not just knowledge, is key to accepting self-driving cars."

Trust isn't static. Drivers adjust their trust levels as they use the system. Clear info about AV capabilities helps set the right expectations.

Factor	Impact on Trust
System performance	High
Clear communication	High
Personal experience	Medium
Public perception	Medium
Technical knowledge	Low

Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, nails it: "The way you build trust is to be transparent."

For AV testing, this means:

• Showing drivers what the car "sees"
• Testing driver alertness
• Creating systems that keep drivers engaged

Bottom line? Trust is earned, not given. AV makers have their work cut out for them.

5. Switching Between Human and Car Control

Switching from automated to manual driving isn't just flipping a switch. It's a big deal in AV testing.

Here's why:

Drivers need time to regain control. At 70 mph, it can take up to 40 seconds for full takeover. That's a LONG time on the highway!

Why so long? Drivers get rusty when they're not actively driving. They lose track of what's happening on the road.

Key findings:

• Braking suffers when switching from auto to manual
• Drivers are 2% drowsier in automated mode
• Safe handovers can take 7 to 30+ seconds

What can AV makers do? A few ideas:

1. Use smart alerts to wake drivers up
2. Give drivers more time to take over
3. Keep drivers somewhat engaged, even in auto mode

Handover Type	Description	Safety Level
Driver-Initiated	Driver chooses to take control	Higher
Automation-Initiated	Car asks driver to take over	Lower

"It takes almost a minute for a human driver to reclaim full control from an AV during handover." - Merat and colleagues

Bottom line? AV testing MUST focus on these handovers. They're a weak spot that could lead to crashes if not handled right.

sbb-itb-ea3f94f

6. How People and Cars Work Together

AVs need to talk to drivers. Here's how it works:

Show intentions: AVs must signal their next move. Jaguar added "eyes" to their AVs to tell pedestrians what's coming.

Smart screens: Displays change based on who's driving. Tesla's Autopilot screen shifts when it's active.

Keep it simple: BMW's iNEXT uses "Shy Tech" - only showing info when needed.

Voice control: It can make drivers happier. One study found voice assistants felt more useful than touchscreens, even if they were slower.

Ownership matters: People want different things from their own AVs vs. shared ones.

Method	Purpose	Example
Visual cues	Show car's plan	Jaguar's "eyes"
Smart displays	Match info to driver	Tesla's changing screen
Voice assistants	Boost satisfaction	Extra control option
Custom interfaces	Fit ownership type	Private vs. shared AVs

"If AVs can show their plans, humans will react better." - Steve Verney, CFO of National Auto Care

The big idea? Build trust between humans and machines. Good design helps drivers get what the car is doing.

AVs and humans think differently. Machines follow rules. Humans use gut feelings. Bridging this gap is key for safe AV use.

7. Mental Effort

Self-driving cars change how drivers think and act. Let's break it down:

Eyes tell the tale: In a study with 38 people, those in self-driving cars looked around less. This hints at a different kind of focus.

Stress isn't a given: Surprisingly, stress levels were about the same in both self-driving and regular cars. So much for robots always making things easier!

Getting used to it: Over time, people might need less brain power to watch over a self-driving car. This could affect how we switch to more automated driving.

Driving Type	Brain Work	Eye Movement	Stress
Human-driven	More	All over	Same
Self-driving	Less	Less varied	Same

Alerts matter: When the car needs you to take over, how it tells you is crucial. Drivers prefer alerts they can feel, hear, and see, not just see. These help them react faster.

Real-time brain checks: Scientists are figuring out how to track a driver's mental state in self-driving cars. This could help cars adjust for safer hand-offs.

"Body signals can show changes in mental workload before driving gets worse." - Vadim Melnicuk, Researcher

The 40-second switch: It can take up to 40 seconds for drivers to get back in the groove after switching from self-driving to manual. This shows we need smart ways to handle these transitions.

8. Teaching Drivers

Self-driving cars aren't just about fancy tech. They're changing how we think about driving. Let's dive into what this means for driver education.

New Skills, New Challenges

Forget parallel parking. Today's drivers need to:

• Monitor car systems
• Know when to take over
• Understand the car's limits

It's a whole new ballgame. Driver training needs to shift gears, focusing on tech smarts and quick thinking instead of just steering and braking.

Real-World Testing

Companies aren't waiting around. They're already putting drivers through their paces:

In Texas, the Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds Partnership runs test sites for self-driving practice. Drive.ai took it a step further, testing on actual Frisco streets to help drivers adjust.

Mix It Up: Sims and Streets

Training isn't just about real roads. It's a combo of simulations and actual driving. This approach preps both the AI and human drivers for whatever the road throws at them.

Rapid Learning Curve

How fast is this tech moving? Check this out:

Wayve, a UK startup, taught a car basic self-driving skills in under 20 minutes.

If cars learn that fast, drivers need to keep up.

Safety First

But hold on. David Friedman, ex-NHTSA chief, warns:

"Self-driving cars are anything but proven. All we're asking is to get us the data to prove these things deliver real safety benefits before we start using people as human guinea pigs."

His caution underscores why solid driver education is crucial.

The Road Ahead

As self-driving tech evolves, so must driver training. The end game? Humans and machines working in harmony on the roads.

9. Cars for Everyone

Self-driving cars aren't just for tech enthusiasts. They're opening up a world of possibilities for people who've struggled with transportation.

Breaking Down Barriers

In the U.S., about 57 million people have a disability. For 6 million of them, getting around is a major challenge. Self-driving cars could help 2 million people access new job opportunities.

Real Progress, Real People

Companies are making moves:

• Waymo's testing fully autonomous cars in Austin, working with the disability community.
• They've added features like a compass tool for vehicle distance and an app-based horn, based on feedback from visually impaired users.

GM's Cruise WAV is pushing boundaries. It's a self-driving, wheelchair-accessible vehicle with:

• A deployable ramp
• 'Kneeling' mode for easier access

More Than Just Convenience

Emily Coleman from the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired says:

"Taking that human bias out of a rideshare is, I think it's kind of an equity game changer, really."

What's Next?

The future looks promising:

• Waymo's working on fully autonomous, wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
• Detroit's launching free AV shuttles for seniors and residents with disabilities.

There's still work to do, but we're on the right track. Christopher Samp, Detroit's Director of Disability Affairs, puts it this way:

"Accessible self-driving shuttles for people with disabilities is a game changer."

10. Handling Emergencies

Self-driving cars and emergencies? It's a hot topic. Let's dive into some real-world examples and what they teach us.

The Tempe Incident

March 2018: An Uber self-driving SUV hits and kills a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona. What went wrong?

• Car's system: Slow to spot the pedestrian
• Safety driver: Had just 1.7 seconds to react
• Driver's attention: Not on the road

Lesson learned? Human drivers NEED to stay alert, even when the car's doing the heavy lifting.

Human vs. Machine Errors

A study of 187 self-driving car accidents revealed:

• 99% caused by human error
• Only 2 due to poor system performance

Bottom line: Self-driving tech is improving, but humans are still the weak link.

Taking Back Control

The Mineta Transportation Institute studied how quickly drivers can take over when self-driving tech fails:

• Older drivers (55+) kept the car steadiest
• 75% of drivers sped up instead of braking
• 1 in 3 thought they hit the brakes when they actually sped up

Dr. Francesca Favaro, the study lead, put it this way:

"In the safety-critical situation of an AT disengagement, it is important to ensure that the human driver has enough time to react and respond effectively to the vehicle's request for human control."

What This Means for Testing

So, what now? Here are the key takeaways for testing self-driving cars:

1. Train for emergency takeovers
2. Consider lower speed limits in self-driving mode
3. Design crystal-clear takeover alerts
4. Test across different age groups

The road to fully autonomous vehicles is still long. But with each lesson learned, we're inching closer to safer self-driving tech.

Wrap-up

Let's recap the key human factors in testing self-driving cars:

1. Driver Alertness: Drivers must stay alert, even with automation. The Uber incident in Tempe, Arizona proved this.

2. Easy Controls: Simple, intuitive controls help drivers take over quickly.

3. Understanding Surroundings: Both humans and AVs need to grasp the road environment.

4. Trust: A Mineta Transportation Institute study found trust affects AV interactions.

5. Control Switching: The human-car control transition is crucial for safety.

6. Human-Car Teamwork: Smooth collaboration is key.

7. Mental Effort: Monitoring an AV can be mentally taxing.

8. Driver Education: Proper AV training is essential.

9. Inclusive Design: AVs should cater to all users, including those with disabilities.

10. Emergency Handling: Quick, effective responses in critical situations are vital.

These factors bridge the gap between human behavior and machine logic, ensuring safe AV use.

What's next? Researchers are digging deeper into human-AV interactions. One project studies AV human factors and safety issues related to road infrastructure, aiming to guide future tests.

Another study found that positive AV information led drivers to accept smaller gaps and shorter headways. This shows how public perception can impact AV integration.

Looking ahead, experts suggest:

• Stronger partnerships between automotive engineers and HMI experts
• Focus on social neuroscience for better AV-human understanding
• Designing systems for the slowest responders, not the average driver

These human factors will shape how we test, certify, and use self-driving cars. The goal? Safe, efficient transport that works for both humans and machines.

Related posts

• AI V2V Safety Standards for Self-Driving Cars
• AI Reduces Automotive Recalls: 2024 Guide
• Autonomous Vehicle Certification & Testing Protocols
• AI Vendor Audit Checklist: 12 Key Questions