A quantitative model of takeover request time budget for conditionally automated driving

TL;DR

This paper develops a mathematical model to estimate driver takeover time in conditional automation, considering scenario variables, driver experience, and visual aids, to enhance safety and planning in automated driving systems.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized formula for estimating takeover request time, incorporating multiple factors and validating fixed and variable time budgets with visual imagery effects.

Findings

7 seconds is suitable for certain scenarios

Visual imagery increases takeover time

Proposed formula accounts for individual and scenario variables

Abstract

In conditional automation, the automated driving system assumes full control and only issues a takeover request to a human driver to resume driving in critical situations. Previous studies have concluded that the time budget required by drivers to resume driving after a takeover request varies with situations and different takeover variables. However, no comprehensive generalized approaches for estimating in advance the time budget required by drivers to takeover have been provided. In this contribution, fixed (7 s) and variable time budgets (6 s, 5 s, and 4 s) with and without visual imagery assistance were investigated for suitability in three takeover scenarios using performance measures such as average lateral displacement. The results indicate that 7 s is suitable for two of the studied scenarios based on their characteristics. Using the obtained results and known relations between takeover variables, a mathematical formula for estimating takeover request time budget is proposed. The proposed formula integrates individual stimulus response time, driving experience, scenario specific requirements and allows increased safety for takeover maneuvers. Furthermore, the visual imagery resulted in increased takeover time which invariably increases the time budget. Thus the time demand of the visualized information if applicable (such as visual imagery) should be included in the time budget.