This chapter focuses on the elaboration and validation of new methods for assessing drivers' higher level cognitive processes reflecting mental models and Situation Awareness (SA). When drivers start using an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), they acquire a mental model of the system's purpose, function and performance. These mental models should be considered in investigations of behavioural adaptation to ADAS, as they are expected to influence information processing, SA and the selection of appropriate actions. After defining mental models and SA, advantages and disadvantages of existing assessment techniques are presented as well as requirements for new approaches. A newly developed mental model questionnaire is described that was used in a driving simulator study and a field test. SA is measured in real time based on an implicit performance approach using a continuously presented secondary task. Benefits and limitations of both methods are discussed in a final summary.

Chapter Contents:

• Abstract
• 4.1 Behavioural adaptation and higher cognitive processes
• 4.2 Mental models
• 4.2.1 Definition
• 4.2.2 Mental model construction and update
• 4.2.3 Discussion of existing mental model measures and requirements
• 4.2.4 Development of the mental model questionnaire
• 4.3 Situation Awareness
• 4.3.1 Definition
• 4.3.2 Relationship between mental models and Situation Awareness
• 4.3.3 Situation Awareness as comprehension process
• 4.3.4 Discussion of existing Situation Awareness measures and requirements
• 4.3.5 Development of the Situation Awareness measurement technique
• 4.4 Study 1: Driving simulator study
• 4.4.1 Aims and research questions
• 4.4.2 Method and material
• 4.4.3 Results
• 4.5 Study 2: On-road study
• 4.5.1 Aims and research questions
• 4.5.2 Method and material
• 4.5.3 Results
• 4.6 Discussion and conclusions
• 4.6.1 Mental model questionnaire
• 4.6.2 Situation Awareness measurement
• Acknowledgement
• References

Inspec keywords: driver information systems

Other keywords: SA; advanced driver assistance system; mental models; driver information processing; ADAS; driving simulator; situation awareness

Subjects: Traffic engineering computing