Each year, over half of global traffic fatalities involve vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians), often due to human error. Level-5 automated driving systems (ADSs) could reduce driver errors contributing to pedestrian accidents, though effectiveness depends on clarity and understandability for other road users. External human-machine interfaces (eHMIs) have been proposed to facilitate pedestrian-ADS communication, though consensus on optimal eHMI features remains unclear. In an online survey, 153 participants responded to road-crossing scenarios involving level-5 ADSs, with and without eHMIs. With eHMIs, pedestrians crossed earlier and more confidently, and reported significantly increased perceptions of safety, trust, and understanding when interacting with level-5 ADSs. Visual eHMI features (including a text display and external speedometer) were ranked more necessary than auditory ones, though auditory cues received positive feedback. This study demonstrates that eHMIs can significantly improve pedestrians' understanding of level-5 ADS intent and enhance perceived safety and trust, facilitating more intuitive pedestrian-ADS interactions.
@article{arxiv.2507.21303,
title = {Impact of eHMI on Pedestrians' Interactions with Level-5 Automated Driving Systems},
author = {Viktoria Marcus and Griffin Pitts and Sanaz Motamedi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.21303},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
Accepted and to be presented at ASPIRE 2025 - the 69th International Annual Meeting of HFES