What Existing Trends in Vehicle Technology Can Tell Us about Feedback and Driver Situation Awareness (sa) : a Comparison of Sa Measures and Contexts

Cars have had various forms of Driver Support Systems (DSS) for considerably longer than they have taken to have an overt driver interface or to otherwise assume the outward appearance of a ‘computer’. Existing forms of DSS, such as power steering, engine management and anti-lock brakes, combined with a more general trend in ubiquitous computing and increased refinement, are isomorphic with future trends that seek to increase the amenity and comfort of driving. These shared objectives, it is argued, bring with them shared driver performance implications in regard to vehicle feedback and driver Situation Awareness (SA). Three experiments are reported in this paper that describe not only the effects on driver SA of manipulations of DSS (and vehicle feedback) but also illuminate issues concerned with SA measurement methods and contexts. The findings suggest that current instantiations of DSS contribute little towards a driver’s SA and, in fact, show a generalized trend towards decreasing it. The efficacy of verbal protocol and probe recall SA measurement techniques is noted in terms of observing this effect. However, a concerning dissociation occurred with findings from a self-report measure. Drivers appear to show a concerning lack of self-awareness of their SA and, indeed, any shortfall in it.