So far in the field of automated vehicle guidance, the focus of research is on general automation effects that implicitly assume an experienced driver. The potential of driver assistance systems and vehicle automation for learner and novice drivers during skills acquisition has not been sufficiently researched. Based on a literature review and an expert workshop, research questions concerning driving skills acquisition in the context of increasing vehicle automation will be derived in this report. The literature review provides an overview of relevant terminology from the research fields of expertise and skills acquisition (e.g. definition of the term expert, experts’ properties) as well as general models of expertise and skills acquisition. Based on this fundamental knowledge, the acquisition of skills as it pertains to driving and the process of driving skills acquisition is considered (e.g. learning conditions during driver education and the subsequent phase of independent driving, accidents of novice drivers). According to Gasser, Seeck and Smith (2015), driver assistance systems and levels of vehicle automation can be distinguished in terms of their operation mode in three basic categories (functions of the operation modes A, B and C). Currently available systems are classified into these three basic categories. Finally, driving skills acquisition and operation modes are brought together: For each operation mode, the existing demands on the driver and related findings for the acquisition and development of driving skills are presented. As user groups, learner and novice drivers are in the focus. As another user group, experienced drivers as well as all drivers (i.e. user groups in general) are considered. Complementary to the literature analysis, a workshop with experts (representatives of driving instructor associations, scientific experts and experienced drivers) took place. During the workshop, arising issues for the operation modes A, B and C in connection with driving skills acquisition were discussed. The findings of the literature review together with the results of the expert workshop were used to define research needs. Research needs are presented – structured according to the respective operation mode – for each user group: For the user groups in general (i.e. all drivers), there is a need for research to determine the training needs to learn the correct use of functions of the operation modes A to C as well as the development of corresponding training concepts (focus on operation mode B). When developing training concepts to meet these trainings needs, the different competence levels of user groups should be taken into account. Furthermore, future research should consider both the changing demands in drivers’ attention allocation while using functions of the operation mode B and changes in communication between road users in future mixed traffic. For the user group learner drivers, research should focus on the ongoing development of driver education and driving test contents concerning the functions of the operation modes A to C. Functions of operation modes A and B (Level 1) show a potential for promoting skills acquisition while learning to drive. The exclusive use of functions of the operation mode B during driver education should be avoided because this potentially bears a risk of not acquiring driving skills. For the user group novice drivers, findings show a potential for promoting the continuing skills acquisition after receiving the driving license for functions of the operation modes A and B (Level 1). This should be considered in future research. Similar to the group of learner drivers, novice drivers potentially risk not acquiring driving skills if functions of the operation mode B are exclusively used. (Author/publisher)
Abstract