This project concerning a pilot test of transmitting road side information vis a microwave system, Compose using 17 GHz, to the vehicle. The information is transmitted with 11 transponders along a 35 km test track. The transmitted information consists of actual speed limits, warnings of pedestrian crossings and speed recommendations for the particular sites, warnings for dangerous curves and ditto speed recommendations, warnings of road works. Presentations of the information were graphically displayed to the driver. 16 test drivers participated and carried out three different rides: a reference ride, one with only information given on the display and the thrid with the ICC (Intelligent Cruise Control) function activated i.e. the vehicle adapt the speed automatically to the recommended ones. For the evaluation the following methods were used: speed logging, behavioural observations and interviews for the respective rides. The results show the drivers poor speed adaption in the reference rides. In the informative mode initially there is some consideration about the given speed recommendations but the effect is not very long term. The best result concerning speed adaption was noticed when the assisting mode was used, even if there are still a few remarks regarding the urban areas and roads with a lot of curves. From the interview study a high acceptance for the new way of presentation the road side information was documented. The drivers also declared understanding for the need of a measure like the ICC, but asked for a longer period of accustomizing to the function. (Author/publisher)
Abstract