Behavioural adaptation and acceptance


Martens, M.H. and Jenssen, G.D. (2012) Behavioural adaptation and acceptance. In: Handbook Intelligent Vehicles. Springer Verlag, London, 117 - 138. ISBN 9780857290854

Restricted to UT campus only

Abstract:One purpose of Intelligent Vehicles is to improve road safety, throughput, and emissions. However, the predicted effects are not always as large as aimed for. Part of this is due to indirect behavioral changes of drivers, also called behavioral adaptation. Behavioral adaptation (BA) refers to unintended behavior that arises following a change to the road traffic system. Qualitative models of behavioral adaptation (formerly known as risk compensation) describe BA by the change in the subjectively perceived enhancement of the safety margins. If a driver thinks that the system is able to enhance safety and also perceives the change in behavior as advantageous, adaptation occurs. The amount of adaptation is (indirectly) influenced by the driver personality and trust in the system. This also means that the amount of adaptation differs between user groups and even within one driver or changes over time.

Examples of behavioral change are the generation of extra mobility (e.g., taking the car instead of the train), road use by “less qualified” drivers (e.g., novice drivers), driving under more difficult conditions (e.g., driving on slippery roads), or a change in distance to the vehicle ahead (e.g., driving closer to a lead vehicle with ABS).

In effect predictions, behavioral adaptation should be taken into account. Even though it may reduce beneficial effects, BA (normally) does not eliminate the positive effects. How much the effects are reduced depends on the type of ADAS, the design of the ADAS, the driver, the current state of the driver, and the local traffic and weather conditions
Item Type:Book Section
Copyright:© Springer
Engineering Technology (CTW)
Research Group:
Link to this item:
Official URL:
Export this item as:BibTeX
HTML Citation
Reference Manager


Repository Staff Only: item control page

Metis ID: 273045