Analysis of Context of Use and Definition of Critical Scenarios: HUMANIST Task Force A Deliverable A.3

The second task of HUMANIST Task Force A ("Identification and Characterization of Usage Situations") aimed to identify 1) the most typical as well as the most critical usage situations and contexts of use, 2) critical scenarios and the specific needs and requirements related to them and 3) gaps in existing scientific knowledge. The usage situations were collected by previous and on-going studies presented during the HUMANIST Lisbon conference in June 2004. A considerable number of specific situations in which an ITS solution would be able to provide remarkable support for a driver were listed. For instance, ITS solutions could improve drivers’ situation awareness by directing their attention to critical situation elements, like e.g. pedestrians crossings. In addition, drivers could benefit by support during adverse weather conditions. Other situations include e.g driving long periods or driving by night, when drivers are more likely in a state of hypovigilance. The context of use, on the other hand, also gives specific requirements for developing and designing systems: For example, reduced friction during adverse weather conditions imply specific requirements for intervening driver assistance systems. There are, furthermore, at least two driver groups that have specific needs for ITS design (elderly and professional drivers). To find out the most probable and the most critical scenarios related to new ITS, a template was produced, and in total 33 scenarios were generated by task force A partners. Based on on-going studies, and the scenarios produced by Task Force A members, it can be concluded that driver needs in specific situations, as well as anticipated modifications in their behavior due to implementation of the new systems, are topics that have not yet been throughout studied. It is not always clear which driver groups will take the new systems into use first, and if all driver groups would benefit from a new system. In addition, the expected modifications of driver behaviour as well as usage of new technologies in a wrong way can have negative side-effects on traffic safety and should, hence, always be studied before implementation the new systems. It has also been stated that an ITS should help a driver where he needs support, but not to take over those tasks he or she is good at in order to avoid a decline of relevant functional driving skills.