Audio Cueing and Negative Adaptation in Older and Younger Drivers Using Lane Departure Warning Systems

A Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) is an automation system that can be integrated in vehicles. Empirical research has demonstrated conflicting results about the effectiveness of LDWS, which may be attributable to inconsistent warning cues, adaptation effects, and differences among user populations. In this thesis, I investigated whether meaningful or non-meaningful auditory cues are more effective in improving lane keeping in older and younger drivers, and if adaptation occurs with the use of either/both cue types when the LDWS was intermittently turned off. Results showed LDWS were initially helpful in reducing lane deviations, regardless of cue type, with non-meaningful cues showing slightly greater effectiveness, particularly in older adults. However, following exposure to LDWS, drivers exhibited short-term negative adaption to the system, displaying significantly more and larger lane deviations when the system was on compared to when it was off. Significant adaptation differences between younger and older adults were not observed.