Detecting sources of anger in automated driving: driving-related and external factor

Introduction Anger while driving is often provoked by on-road events like sudden cut-offs but can also arise from external factors, such as rumination of negative thoughts. With the rise of autonomous vehicles, drivers are expected to engage more in non-driving activities, potentially increasing the occurrence of anger stemming from non-driving-related sources. Given the well-established link between anger and aggressive driving behaviors, it is crucial to detect and understand the various origins of anger in autonomous driving contexts to enhance road safety.Methods This study investigates whether physiological (cardiac and respiratory activities) and ocular indicators of anger vary depending on its source (driving-related or external) in a simulated autonomous driving environment. Using a combination of autobiographical recall (AR) for external anger induction and driving-related scenarios (DS), 47 participants were exposed to anger and/or neutral conditions across four groups.Results The results revealed that combined anger induction (incorporating both external and driving-related sources) led to higher subjective anger ratings, more heart rate variability. However, when examined separately, individual anger sources did not produce significant differences in physiological responses and ocular strategies.Discussion These results suggest that the combination of anger-inducing events, rather than the specific source, is more likely to provoke a heightened state of anger. Consequently, future research should employ combined induction methods to effectively elicit anger in experimental settings. Moreover, anger detection systems should focus on the overall interplay of contributing factors rather than distinguishing between individual sources, as it is this cumulative dynamic that more effectively triggers significant anger responses.