Behavioural effects of Advanced Cruise Control Use: a meta-analytic approach

N. Dragutinovic; Karel A. Brookhuis; Marjan P. Hagenzieker; Vincent A.W.J. Marchau

doi:10.18757/ejtir.2005.5.4.4407

Behavioural effects of Advanced Cruise Control Use

a meta-analytic approach

Authors

N. Dragutinovic Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology; SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research
Karel A. Brookhuis Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology; Department of Psychology, University of Groningen
Marjan P. Hagenzieker SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research
Vincent A.W.J. Marchau Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management Delft University of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18757/ejtir.2005.5.4.4407

Abstract

In this study, a meta-analytic approach was used to analyse effects of Advanced Cruise Control (ACC) on driving behaviour reported in seven driving simulator studies. The effects of ACC on three consistent outcome measures, namely, driving speed, headway and driver workload have been analysed. The indicators of speed, headway and workload have been chosen because they are assumed to be directly affected by the ACC support, their relationship with road safety is reasonably established and they are the most frequently used outcome measures in the sample of analysed studies.

The results suggest that different operational settings of ACC that are important for the level of support provided by the system, are significant for the effects ACC have on various aspects of driving behaviour, i.e. on mean driving speed and mean time headway. The obtained effect sizes clustered in two groups, with more intervening ACCs having the effects of an increased driving speed and decreased mean time headway.

These results are further discussed in the context of road safety, especially in the context of behavioural adaptation.