Techbrief - The Effects of Vehicle Automation on Driver Engagement: The Case of Adaptive Cruise Control and Mind Wandering

PDF Version (340 KB)

FHWA Publication No.: FHWA-HRT-21-017
FHWA Contact: Brian Philips, HRDS-30, ORCID: 0000-0002-8426-0867, 202-493-3468,
brian.philips@dot.gov

INTRODUCTION

Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is a longitudinal control system through which a vehicle can automatically maintain a driver-selected speed and, through the use of radar or light detection and ranging sensors, a preselected gap between itself and a slower-moving vehicle ahead. ACC is marketed as a convenience system that reduces stress and workload by relieving the driver of the need to continuously regulate vehicle speed and following gap. However, if ACC reduces the attentional resources drivers must devote to driving, drivers using ACC may experience increased periods of mind wandering, characterized as thoughts that are decoupled from the external stimulus environment, which could reduce safety for both the driver and other road users. The current study examined the effects of ACC on mind-wandering prevalence and driving performance.