From Passersby to Placemaking: Designing Autonomous Vehicle-Pedestrian Encounters for an Urban Shared Space

TL;DR

This study explores how place-based external human-machine interfaces (eHMIs) for autonomous vehicles can enhance pedestrian experience and placemaking in urban shared spaces, using virtual reality evaluations.

Contribution

It introduces three novel place-based eHMI designs inspired by urban HCI and evaluates their impact on pedestrian perception and placemaking in simulated environments.

Findings

Place-based eHMIs influence perceptions of AV interaction and aesthetics.

Perceived safety correlates with positive user experience and feelings of pleasantness.

eHMIs can foster social interactivity and a sense of place in shared urban spaces.

Abstract

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) tend to disrupt the atmosphere and pedestrian experience in urban shared spaces, undermining the focus of these spaces on people and placemaking. We investigate how external human-machine interfaces (eHMIs) supporting AV-pedestrian interaction can be extended to consider the characteristics of an urban shared space. Inspired by urban HCI, we devised three place-based eHMI designs that (i) enhance a conventional intent eHMI and (ii) exhibit content and physical integration with the space. In an evaluation study, 25 participants experienced the eHMIs in an immersive simulation of the space via virtual reality and shared their impressions through think-aloud, interviews, and questionnaires. Results showed that the place-based eHMIs had a notable effect on influencing the perception of AV interaction, including aspects like visual aesthetics and sense of reassurance, and on fostering a sense of place, such as social interactivity and the intentionality to coexist. In measuring qualities of pedestrian experience, we found that perceived safety significantly correlated with user experience and affect, including the attractiveness of eHMIs and feelings of pleasantness. The paper opens the avenue for exploring how eHMIs may contribute to the placemaking goals of pedestrian-centric spaces and improve the experience of people encountering AVs within these environments.