A Roland for an Oliver? Subjective perception of cooperation during conditionally automated driving

Cooperative driving, as observed during lane-change scenarios, reminds one of the saying “a Roland for an Oliver”, also known as quid pro quo: being offered a gap for moving in needs someone offering it in the left lane. This article investigates the subjectively perceived differences of cooperative behavior from the perspective of driving in the left and in the right lane. We design and use a questionnaire in a driving simulator study. As predictor variables, we modify timing and success of the lane-change. Cooperation is measured in the aspects satisfaction, relaxation, and accordance. The results show differences in the performance: Subjects perceive a successful lane-change as more cooperative than an unsuccessful one. The findings furthermore reveal the asymmetric perception: The right lane perspective is experienced more cooperative than the left lane perspective. Modifications in timing or success furthermore lead to a lower level of trust. An exploratory factor analysis of the questionnaire´s results furthermore suggests two hidden factors intrinsic and extrinsic contribution to cooperation. Several lane-change situations are analyzed by means of the two factors.