Development and evaluation of an advanced intelligent speed adaptation system

Abstract

Intelligent speed adaptation (ISA) systems are in-vehicle systems that have the capability of either warning drivers of adverse speeding behaviours or limiting them from exceeding a prevailing speed limit or advisory. The former, called the warning—informational ISA system, has been noted to be ineffective in reducing speeding while being acceptable to drivers. However, the limiting ISA system, called the mandatory ISA system, has been effective in reducing speeds, yet highly unacceptable from research conducted largely in Europe. These tests of ISA systems have shown that there is a significant consumer acceptance hurdle on the one hand, and an efficacy hurdle on the other. This paper presents the results of a driving simulator experiment that tested the acceptance and effectiveness of a new type of ISA system, called the advanced vehicular speed adaptation system (AVSAS). AVSAS was designed as a speed-management system, rather than a speed-limiting system, based on individual driver speeding behaviours under different roadway scenarios. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the effectiveness of AVSAS while a survey was used to gauge the acceptance of the system. The results showed that AVSAS contributed to the reductions in the drivers' speeds for two roadway scenarios. The survey results revealed a higher acceptance rating of AVSAS.