Several studies have shown that different systems for Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) are effective ways to reduce the speeds on our roads. As it is well known that excessive speeds contribute to both the number and the outcome of road accidents with fatalities, reduced speeds would be a positive step towards a safer traffic environment. In order to make it possible to implement ISA on a large scale it is of great importance that the public accept these new support systems. To make this happen we need to find out what drivers think about these systems both before and after they've gained personal experience of them. We also need to know how the drivers' driving experience is affected by the systems. During the large-scale ISA field trials in Sweden an informative ISA speed-warning device was tested in the city of Borlange. This device continuously informed the drivers of the current speed limit and warned them, with a flashing red light and sound signals, if they exceeded this limit. More than 150 test drivers were asked about their opinion towards the device both before and after they gained personal experience of it. They were also asked how their driving experience was affected by having the device installed in their vehicles. The results show that using the device actually affected the drivers' attitude towards the system in both positive and negative ways. They also show how the device is perceived by the drivers and what is seen as positive and negative with the device and its affect on the driving experience as a whole. For the covering abstract see ITRD E137489.
Abstract