Interpersonal Communication and Issues for Autonomous Vehicles

Interpersonal roadway communication is a vital component of the transportation system. Road users communicate to coordinate movement and increase roadway safety. Future autonomous vehicle research needs to account for the role of interpersonal roadway communication. This literature review synthesizes research on interpersonal interaction between drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians while also directing attention to implications for autonomous and connected vehicle research. Articles were collected from TRID, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using search terms relevant to driving, communication, and vulnerable road users. The synthesis documents that interpersonal communication not only takes place but is also an important and understudied aspect of safe roadway travel. The review also found that road users employ a variety of communication methods that include gestures, facial expressions, and built-in vehicular devices. Comprehension of messages is influenced by a number of factors including culture, context, and experience. These results shed light on potential issues and challenges of interpersonal communication and the introduction of autonomous vehicles to the roadway.

• Record URL:
  http://www.atlas-center.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ComAutVehTechReport-1.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/32338
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150

  Center for Advancing Transportation Leadership and Safety (ATLAS Center)

  University of Michigan
  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Stanciu, Sergiu C
  • Eby, David W
  • Molnar, Lisa J
  • St Louis, Renée M
  • Zanier, Nicole
• Publication Date: 2017-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: 20p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Communication; Comprehension; Cyclists; Drivers; Driving; Intelligent vehicles; Literature reviews; Mobile communication systems; Pedestrians; Traffic safety; Vulnerable road users
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01637904
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ATLAS-2017-20
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC5
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 13 2017 9:35AM