Field operational test of advanced driver assistance systems in typical Chinese road conditions: The influence of driver gender, age and aggression

Although various Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADASs) have been developed to assist drivers, their performances and driver acceptances in China have not been well tested and analyzed. This study aims to examine how do driver gender, age, and aggression affect the performances and driver acceptances of typical ADASs by means of Field Operational Tests (FOTs), including FCW (Forward Collision Warning), LDW (Lane Departure Warning), and SBZA (Side Blind Zone Alert). Thirty-three participants were recruited to drive an equipped vehicle on the test route in and around Beijing City. Vehicle states, environmental information, and driver feedback were recorded by CAN bus, cameras, and post-drive questionnaires. The test results showed that the alert frequencies of FCWs and LDWs increase in higher speed traffic scenarios, whereas that of SBZA declines. Driver acceptance rate of SBZA ranks the highest, with FCW ranking the second and LDW being the last. Driver gender, age, and aggression effects were analyzed in details, showing their relationships with total alert times, alert times per 100 km, and driver acceptance rate of each system. The findings are helpful for future development of ADASs for automotive industry.