Although autonomous driving system is being used more frequently, its widespread
adoption is still in its infancy. As a result, drivers may perceive the
autonomous driving system as unreliable, which hinders the spread of automated
driving. The goal of this study is to investigate the major variables
influencing drivers’ trust in autonomous driving system. Significant positive
correlations between the variables were found using the questionnaire survey,
reliability validity test, and factor analysis of the questionnaire data. In
order to measure the impact of system performance, user comprehension, system
feedback mechanism, individual characteristics, and environmental factors on
trust perception, a structural equation modeling (SEM) as an analytical tool. A
total of 274 valid data were retained. By modeling and analyzing the recovered
data, it showed that the fit are all in the acceptable range, the model
construction is reasonable, and therefore the subsequent path analysis can be
carried out. Results showed that system reliability, comprehension, system
feedback, individual differences, and environmental factors all have a
significant positive impact on trust. Specifically, system reliability is the
cornerstone for building user trust, while user education is critical for
improving understanding. In addition, an intuitive and easy-to-use user
interface and timely and accurate system feedback play an important role in
enhancing trust. Individual differences, including technology acceptance, risk
appetite, and driving experience, are also important factors that influence
trust. A multifaceted approach to enhancing trust is also put forth, which
includes improving system performance, user education, interactive interface,
individualized service delivery, and environmental adaption.