Use of auditory interfaces for takeover requests in highly automated driving: A proposed driving simulators study

Highly automated driving can potentially provide enormous benefits to society. However, it is unclear what types of interfaces should be used for takeover requests during highly automated driving, in which a driver is asked to switch back to manual driving. In this paper, a proposal for a driving simulator study on the use of six auditory signals during such takeover requests is outlined. The auditory signals to be tested in the experiment are based on the results of an online international survey previously conducted by the authors. The experiment will involve 24 participants performing a secondary task, and the takeover scenario will be represented by an accident in the middle lane of a three-lane freeway. The time margin prior to takeover will be 7 s. The driving time between subsequent takeover requests will be 2 to 3 min. The application of the results of the proposed study as well as plans for future studies are presented in the last section.