An integrated intelligent speed adaptation system for enhanced driver assistance, driving performance and safety

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become an integral part of modern vehicles, significantly changing the driving experience. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) assists drivers in maintaining a constant speed and a safe following distance; however, it does not moderate the speed along curves when sight limitations occur, thus compromising safety. To address these challenges, this study integrates the Intelligent Speed Adaptation for Visibility (V-ISA) system with ACC. The V-ISA system dynamically adjusts the vehicle speed based on real-time visibility conditions, thereby enhancing safety on road curves where sight distance is restricted. Additionally, this study evaluates the impact of the ACC + V-ISA system on driver performance, specifically focusing on speed management, lateral vehicle control, and driver experience with assistance systems. The study was conducted in a simulated environment with forty-five participants. The results revealed that the ACC + V-ISA system effectively reduced vehicle speed on curves with limited visibility. The ability of the system to regulate speed according to prevailing road conditions highlights its potential to improve road safety. Moreover, the findings suggest that using the V-ISA system integrated with ACC maintains user acceptance and satisfaction while imposing no additional mental workload compared to using ACC alone. These insights are crucial for the future design of ADAS and autonomous vehicles and emphasize the importance of introducing this system into vehicles.