Effect of ADAS use on drivers' information processing and Situation Awareness

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.