Is a flick-through enough? A content analysis of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) user manuals

Area of Science:

• Automotive Engineering
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Transportation Safety

Background:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are increasingly common in new vehicles.
• Current ADAS education relies heavily on user manuals, which are often underutilized and may be inadequate.
• Ensuring safe adoption of ADAS requires effective driver education strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the content and readability of ADAS user manuals for top-selling vehicles in Australia.
• To identify gaps and inconsistencies in ADAS information provided to drivers.
• To inform policy and practice for improved ADAS education.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of user manuals to identify key themes.
• Quantitative readability assessment of manual content.
• Comparison of ADAS information across different vehicle brands.

Main Results:

• Seven common themes were identified in ADAS user manuals.
• Some manuals require advanced education levels (beyond 8 years) for comprehension.
• Readability is hindered by text diversions and infographics, indicating a lack of standardization.

Conclusions:

• A significant lack of standardization exists in ADAS user manual content and delivery.
• Current reliance on user manuals is insufficient for effective ADAS education and safe adoption.
• Regulatory oversight and prioritized driver education are necessary for the safe integration of ADAS.