Presentation
When Automated Vehicles Cannot Retaliate: Driver-Initiated Takeover Under Aggression in Mixed Traffic
DescriptionWhen exposed to aggressive behavior from surrounding human-driven vehicles (HDVs), automated vehicles (AVs) with conditional automation typically adopt defensive responses to prevent risks under uncertainty. In contrast, human drivers may expect to respond with emotion-driven, retaliatory behaviors. This discrepancy between human drivers’ expectations and AV behavior may increase the likelihood of driver-initiated takeovers, introducing abrupt control transitions that can threaten traffic safety. Thirty-two licensed drivers participated in the driving simulator study, where they experienced driving scenarios with different aggressive driving events (honking, tailgating, and sharp braking) and aggression levels (low vs. high). The results indicated that drivers perceived higher levels of aggression and were more likely to initiate takeovers during sharp braking events compared to honking and tailgating, as well as under higher aggression levels. The differences in perceived aggression across event types diminished as the aggression level increased. These findings provide insights into when and why drivers override defensive automation and offer implications for the design of AV behavior in mixed-traffic environments.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeWednesday, October 21st11:20am - 11:40am PDT
Location