A Framework for Analysing Driver Interactions with Semi-Autonomous Vehicles

TL;DR

This paper presents a framework combining empirical human behavior models with system models to analyze and verify safe interactions between drivers and semi-autonomous vehicles using model checking.

Contribution

It introduces a novel framework that integrates human, environment, and system models for safety analysis of driver-vehicle interactions.

Findings

Framework effectively models driver behavior and vehicle systems.

Model checking verifies safety properties in semi-autonomous vehicle scenarios.

Case study highlights importance of managing driver fatigue for safety.

Abstract

Semi-autonomous vehicles are increasingly serving critical functions in various settings from mining to logistics to defence. A key characteristic of such systems is the presence of the human (drivers) in the control loop. To ensure safety, both the driver needs to be aware of the autonomous aspects of the vehicle and the automated features of the vehicle built to enable safer control. In this paper we propose a framework to combine empirical models describing human behaviour with the environment and system models. We then analyse, via model checking, interaction between the models for desired safety properties. The aim is to analyse the design for safe vehicle-driver interaction. We demonstrate the applicability of our approach using a case study involving semi-autonomous vehicles where the driver fatigue are factors critical to a safe journey.