Understanding Driver Perceptions of a Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) Communication System Using a Test Track Demonstration

Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems can enable a number of wireless-based vehicle features that can improve traffic safety, driver convenience, and roadway efficiency and facilitate many types of in-vehicle services. These systems have an extended communication range that can provide drivers with information about the position and movements of nearby V2Vequipped vehicles. Using this technology, these vehicles are able to communicate roadway events that are beyond the driver's view and provide advisory information that will aid drivers in avoiding collisions or congestion ahead. Given a typical communication range of 300 meters, drivers can potentially receive information well in advance of their arrival to a particular location. The timing and nature of presenting V2V information to the driver will vary depending on the nature and criticality of the scenario. The purpose of this study was to gather data on driver perceptions and opinions with respect to a V2V communication system. The 125 participants tested on the Virginia Smart Road experienced a V2V system capable of demonstrating various V2V applications. These applications included alerting the test participants to the following events ahead of the vehicle: vehicle braking hard, slow moving vehicle, vehicle with hazard warning lights activated, post-crash notification, electronic stability control (ESC) activation, and a potential intersection crash situation. The results indicated that the V2V applications demonstrated were well-received by test participants and were believed to provide safety benefits. These results, coupled with the relative affordability of V2V compared to other autonomous sensing systems, suggest that the V2V system may with anticipated future levels of deployment provide a promising approach to improve traffic safety and increase the penetration of safety systems across the vehicle fleet.