Driver Experience and Acceptance of Driver Support Systems - A Case of Speed Adaptation

Substantial research and development efforts are being made to add driver support systems to the arsenal of traffic safety measures. Obviously, the system cannot reduce fatalities and trauma until it is actually used. Hence, drivers’ experiences and acceptance of the system are of paramount importance. A driver support system (ISA) has been investigated by means of real life trials in Sweden, Hungary and Spain, and the results show that the incentive for drivers to use an ISA system might be the money and embarrassment saved by avoiding speeding tickets, rather than increased traffic safety. Further, to assess the ‘final’, long-term experiences of the system, a longer period than one month of usage is necessary. This thesis conducts a literature review to systematically investigate how acceptance has been defined and how it has been measured within the driver support area. A new definition of acceptance is proposed: “the degree to which an individual intends to use a system and, when available, to incorporate the system in his/her driving”. Additionally, it explores whether the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model (UTAUT), which was originally developed for information technology, may be used as an acceptance model for driver support systems. A pilot test supported to some extent the use of the model. The model constructs ‘performance expectancy’ and ‘social influence’ affect drivers’ intention to use the system