A Context Aware Intelligent Speed Adaptation system: A Field Operational Test

Speed is one of the main contributors to the occurrence and to the impact of road accidents. Intelligent Transport Systems can play a significant role in the improvement of traffic safety as well as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Combining Intelligent Speed Assistance with limitation of the number of engine revolutions was expected to have positive effects. It was however unclear to what extent such a Context Aware Intelligent Speed Adaptation system influences acceleration and speed in relation with the prevailing maximum speed limit, fuel consumption as well as to what extent users accept the system. Furthermore, it was not clear what the subjective estimate of the impact of this system on driving behavior and safety is. Therefore, an extensive Field Operational Test in the Dutch city of Leiden and neighboring cities was performed with a repeated measures design. Eighteen taxies participated in this FOT, consisting of a control condition (no device) and two experimental conditions. We show that the system has a substantial influence on acceleration and speeding behavior. However some unanticipated results with regard to fuel consumption were established. Furthermore, acceptance of the system is generally low. A substantial influence on the subjective estimates of the impact of the system on driving behavior and safety was found. Finally in this contribution a discussion section and recommendations for future research are provided.