Driver comprehension and acceptance of the active accelerator pedal after long-term use

Driver comprehension and acceptance of the active accelerator pedal (AAP) after long-term use were evaluated in a large-scale Swedish trial held in 2000–2002. The system was installed in the cars of 281 test drivers who then used it for between six months and a year. The participants’ responses, elicited by questionnaires in the end of the trial, showed a positive rating of the concept of the AAP, while the willingness to pay for it was lower than for other driver-assistance systems studied elsewhere. The typically skeptical driver was a young, male, company car driver with initially negative attitude and a faulty AAP. The typically enthusiastic driver was an older, female, private driver with initially positive attitude and a fault-free AAP. The drivers found that the system, if not satisfactory, was useful but added to the emotional pressure felt by the driver. However, they did think it had positive impacts on performance and safety. Still, the largest perceived effect was a decrease in the risk of being fined for speeding. The gap between the concept of the AAP and willingness to keep and pay for the system puts a clear focus on the importance to define acceptance and developing a tool to ensure reliable assessments of it.