Title: Exploring the concept of passenger well-being in the context of automated driving

Authors: Vanessa Sauer; Alexander Mertens; Jens Heitland; Verena Nitsch

Addresses: Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Bergdriesch 27, 52062 Aachen, Germany ' Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Bergdriesch 27, 52062 Aachen, Germany ' Audi AG, Auto-Union-Straße 1, 85057 Ingolstadt, Germany ' Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Bergdriesch 27, 52062 Aachen, Germany

Abstract: Motorised mobility is evolving with the introduction of driving automation. The transition from driver to passenger requires a renewed focus on passengers and their needs while travelling, making passenger well-being a highly interesting concept to investigate. However, as of yet, it is unclear how passenger well-being may be operationalised, and which factors may contribute to passenger well-being in this domain. An exploratory study (n = 40) indicated that passenger well-being can be understood as current subjective well-being and that it can be measured reliably using self-reported measures. Further, multiple regression analyses showed that depending on how well the individual preferences are met by the vehicle interior, passenger well-being is either predicted by perceived safety, aesthetics and symbolism (preferences met) or by physical well-being and distrust (preferences not met).

Keywords: subjective well-being; SWB; passenger well-being; autonomous driving; affect; automated driving; transportation; conceptualisation; measure evaluation; vehicle interior; self-reported measure; user study; user preferences.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHFE.2019.104594

International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2019 Vol.6 No.3, pp.227 - 248

Received: 08 Apr 2019
Accepted: 09 Aug 2019

Published online: 21 Jan 2020 *

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