Seating preferences in different highly automated vehicle configurations

Abstract

This study aimed to understand seating preferences in different highly automated vehicle (HAV) configurations across seven hypothetical travelling scenarios. Methods: Participants completed an online survey where they were asked to imagine travelling in a HAV across seven hypothetical travelling scenarios (1: by themselves; 2: with a partner/spouse; 3: with a child occupant(s); 4: with a partner/spouse and child occupant(s); 5) with an older relative(s); 6) with a partner/spouse and an older relative(s); and 7) with someone they don't know). For each scenario, participants were asked to select one of five HAV configurations and one of four seating positions for themselves and for any additional occupants. Furthermore, participants were asked to indicate any activities that they, and any additional occupants, would engage in during these scenarios, and whether they would be willing to wear a different seatbelt in a HAV while seated in a non forward-facing mode or while reclined. Results: Five hundred and fifty-two participants (Male = 50.5%; Mean = 36.6 years, SD = 14.0 years, Range = 18 - 78 years) completed the online survey. Most participants resided in Australia (40.9%), Spain (16.5%), Sweden (15.6%), or Lebanon (19.4%). Most participants: held a valid driver s licence (98.9%), had no restrictions on their licence (77.4%), drove on a daily basis (60.0%), had driven between 5,000 and 15,000 km in the previous year (33.2%), and reported that they always or almost always wore their seatbelt while travelling in a motor vehicle (98.2%). Across all seven hypothetical driving scenarios, participants were most likely to choose a conventional HAV configuration (i.e., all seats facing forward [between 40.0% - 76.3%]). In terms of seating preferences, participants predominately selected seat A (i.e., the conventional driver s seat [between 54.6% - 68.3%]), regardless of with whom they were travelling. When asked about activities that they would engage in during these travelling scenarios, a wide variety of activities was specified. The most common activity while travelling alone was reading (25.0%), followed by listening to music / podcast / radio (13.0%). However, when travelling with other occupants, talking was the most common activity (41.0% - 63.0%) - (even to someone they do not know ([31.0%]). Most participants predicted that they would always or almost always wear their seatbelt when travelling in a HAV (95.9%). Most participants also reported that they would be very willing or willing to wear a different seatbelt configuration in a HAV while seated in a non forward-facing mode or while reclined (73.8%, 80.7%, respectively). Conclusions: This study has provided valuable insight regarding preferences for HAV configurations, seating preferences, activities and restraint use. Significant differences were found across HAV configurations and seating preferences depending on age, sex and country for some of the selected scenarios. Future research will use this information to simulate likely injury outcomes of these preferences in the event of a motor vehicle crash, and provide a basis for the design of occupant protection systems for HAV in the future.