Using Technology Acceptance Model to Explain Driver Acceptance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

Thousands of people die each year due to motor vehicle crashes in the US. Research has found that an overwhelming majority of severe motor vehicle crashes occur due to human error. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed to support drivers with information and added vehicle control in critical situations. However, successful implementation of these technologies requires drivers to accept them, spend money to include them in vehicles and use them while driving. This study investigated the utility of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to explain driver acceptance of ADAS using a driving simulator study. Thirty-seven participants were given a 10-min. driving experience with a simulated driver assistance system. After the drive, they responded to an acceptance survey that measured different constructs of TAM. The results confirm that TAM constructs can significantly predict drivers' willingness to use an ADAS, explaining more than 68% (Adj. R-2) of the variability.