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Objective This study develops a computational model to predict drivers’ response time and understand the underlying cognitive mechanism for freeway exiting takeovers in conditionally automated vehicles (AVs). Background Previous research has modeled drivers’ takeover response time in emergency scenarios that demand a quick response. However, existing models may not be applicable for scheduled, non-time-critical takeovers as drivers take longer to resume control when there is no time pressure. A model of driver response time in non-time-critical takeovers is lacking. Method A computational cognitive model of driver takeover response time is developed based on Queuing Network-Model Human Processor (QN-MHP) architecture. The model quantifies gaze redirection in response to takeover request (ToR), task prioritization, driver situation awareness, and driver trust to address the complexities of drivers' takeover strategies when sufficient time budget exists. Results Experimental data of a preliminary driving simulator study were used to validate the model. The model accounted for 97% of the experimental takeover response time for freeway exiting. Conclusion The current model can successfully predict drivers’ response time for scheduled, non-time-critical freeway exiting takeovers in conditionally AVs. Application This model can be applied to the human-machine interface design with respect to ToR lead time for enhancing safe freeway exiting takeovers in conditionally AVs. It also provides a foundation for future modeling work towards an integrated driver model of freeway exiting takeover performance. 

In highly and fully automated vehicles (AV), drivers could divert their attention to non-driving-related activities. Drivers may also take over AVs if they do not trust the way AVs drive in specific driving scenarios. Existing models have been developed to predict drivers’ takeover performance in responding to takeover requests initiated by AVs in semi-AVs. However, few models predicted driver-initiated takeover behavior in highly and fully AVs. The present study develops an attention-based multiple-input Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to predict drivers’ takeover intention in fully AVs. The results indicated that the developed model successfully predicted takeover intentions of drivers with a precision of 0.982 and an F1-Score of.989, which were found to be substantially higher than other machine learning algorithms. The developed CNN model could be applied in improving the driving algorithms of the AV by considering drivers’ driving styles to reduce drivers’ unnecessary takeover behaviors. 

Objective This study investigated drivers’ subjective feelings and decision making in mixed traffic by quantifying driver’s driving style and type of interaction. Background Human-driven vehicles (HVs) will share the road with automated vehicles (AVs) in mixed traffic. Previous studies focused on simulating the impacts of AVs on traffic flow, investigating car-following situations, and using simulation analysis lacking experimental tests of human drivers. Method Thirty-six drivers were classified into three driver groups (aggressive, moderate, and defensive drivers) and experienced HV-AV interaction and HV-HV interaction in a supervised web-based experiment. Drivers’ subjective feelings and decision making were collected via questionnaires. Results Results revealed that aggressive and moderate drivers felt significantly more anxious, less comfortable, and were more likely to behave aggressively in HV-AV interaction than in HV-HV interaction. Aggressive drivers were also more likely to take advantage of AVs on the road. In contrast, no such differences were found for defensive drivers indicating they were not significantly influenced by the type of vehicles with which they were interacting. Conclusion Driving style and type of interaction significantly influenced drivers’ subjective feelings and decision making in mixed traffic. This study brought insights into how human drivers perceive and interact with AVs and HVs on the road and how human drivers take advantage of AVs. Application This study provided a foundation for developing guidelines for mixed transportation systems to improve driver safety and user experience. 

Conditionally automated vehicles require the out-of-the-loop driver to intervene when the system is unable to handle forthcoming situations, such as freeway exiting. The takeover request (ToR) for exiting a freeway can be scheduled in advance. Upon a ToR, the driver needs to gain situation awareness (SA) and resume manual control. This study examined how the ToR lead time affects driver SA for resuming control and when to send the ToR is most appropriate for freeway exiting. A web-based, supervised experiment was conducted with 31 participants. Each participant experienced 12 levels of ToR lead time (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 s). The results showed positive effects of longer ToR lead times (16–60 s) on driver SA for resuming control to exit from freeways in comparison to shorter ToR lead times (6–14 s), and the effects level off at 16–30 s. 

Autonomous Vehicle (AV) technology has the potential to significantly improve driver safety. Unfortunately, driver could be reluctant to ride with AVs due to the lack of trust and acceptance of AV’s driving styles. The present study investigated the impact of driver’s driving style (aggressive/defensive) and the designed driving styles of AVs (aggressive/defensive) on driver’s trust, acceptance, and take-over behavior in fully autonomous vehicles. Thirty-two participants were classified into two groups based on their driving styles using the Aggressive Driving Scale and experienced twelve scenarios in either an aggressive AV or a defensive AV. Results revealed that drivers’ trust, acceptance, and takeover frequency were significantly influenced by the interaction effects between AV’s driving style and driver’s driving style. The findings implied that driver’s individual differences should be considered in the design of AV’s driving styles to enhance driver’s trust and acceptance of AVs and reduce undesired take over behaviors.