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There is a gap between scientific knowledge about the human factors involved when a motorist must take back control of an automated vehicle and how those factors should be translated into the design of vehicle systems. This is according to research by SWOV, the Institute for Scientific Research on Road Safety. SWOV aims to use scientific research knowledge to contribute to safer road traffic.

Commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, SWOV studied the safety of automated driving systems (ADS) in vehicles, specifically looking at the Transition of Control (TOC) from the vehicle to the driver, a crucial moment for road safety. This research aimed to gain greater insight into the potential for integrating human-centered design principles. The research indicates that further collaboration between science and industry is essential to ensure the safety of automated driving.

The gap between theory and practice

The SWOV report, released last week, exposes a painful gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications in automated driving. While scientists delve into the human factors at play when a driver needs to regain control of an automated vehicle, the question of how these insights can be translated into usable vehicle systems remains unanswered. This is not just an academic issue; it is about the actual safety of all road users.

Safety as a priority

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works commissioned SWOV to conduct this study, focusing specifically on the transition of control (TOC) from the vehicle to the driver. This is a critical moment for road safety, as an incorrect or delayed response can have disastrous consequences. The report highlights the urgent need for collaboration between the scientific community and industry to integrate human-centered design principles into automated driving systems to make them theoretically and practically effective.

An integrated approach can lead to the development of automated vehicles that are not only safer, but also more attuned to human users, according to the researchers.