Abstract
The study investigated how an adaptive cruise control system induced behavioral adaptation in drivers using a full-scale driving simulator. Forty drivers with different driving styles participated in the study to compare headway-time, vehicle lateral position variation, and head and eye movement when driving with and without the adaptive cruise control system. Results showed that system induced positive behavioral adaptation by drawing consistency in driving speed and headway-time regardless of the driving styles. However, the results also showed that the drivers' reliance on the system induced negative adaptation including reduced lane keeping ability and reduced attention during driving. As a strategy to prevent negative adaptation, the study proposed information service to drivers with the adaptive cruise control system status and driving environment, and investigated effectiveness of the service. Twelve drivers participated in the experiment to compare headway-time, vehicle lateral position variation and subjective ratings when driving with and without the information service. Results showed that the information service assisted the drivers to maintain safer and more comfortable headway-time without impairing drivers' steering ability.