Feedback Strategies for Crowded Intersections in Automated Traffic - A Desirable Future?

Automated vehicles should improve both traffic safety and user experience. While novel behavior patterns such as platooning become feasible to reduce fuel usage, such time- and fuel-reducing behavior at intersections can be perceived as unsafe and possibly disconcert users. Therefore, we designed and implemented nine feedback strategies for a simulated intersection and compared these in an online video-based between-subjects study (N=226). We found that visual feedback strategies limiting the view on the actual scene by providing calming views (a Landscape or the scene with hidden vehicles) were rated significantly higher in terms of perceived safety and trust. We discuss implications regarding future traffic and whether automated vehicles will necessitate altering reality for the user.