• Australia
• Belgium
  • ISA in Ghent
  • First results
    • Basic Attitudes
    • Speeding behaviour
    • Driving behaviour
    • Acceptance of ISA
    • Role models
  • ISA and policy
  • Future of ISA
• Denmark
• France
• The Netherlands
• Spain and Hungary
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• Reports

Acceptance of ISA

Acceptance of active accelrator pedal

The method used to measure the acceptance is the procedure of Van Der Laan, Heino and De Waard. Acceptance is measured by direct attitudes towards a system and provides research with a system evaluation in two dimensions. The technique consists of nine rating-scale items. These items load on two scales, a scale denoting the usefulness of the system, and a scale designating satisfaction. The nine items in the questionnaire were: useful - useless; pleasant - unpleasant; bad - good; nice - annoying; effective - superfluous; irritating - likeable; assisting - worthless; undesirable - desirable; raising alertness - sleep-inducing. Practical aspects are reflected in the usefulness score, while the pleasantness is mirrored in the satisfying score.

All drivers (total) accepted the active accelerator pedal. After the trial they experienced the pedal even more satisfying. The most pleased with the active accelerator pedal were the private drivers. During the project they found it more useful but less satisfying then after the project. The most remarkable change is seen by the non-private drivers: while during the project they experienced it was not satisfying, although useful, they declared it was more satisfying and useful after the trial.

Also the drivers were asked if they would like to pay for the ISA-system. Most of them agreed when also the payment of the insurance would be less. 3 on 5 drivers would pay voluntarily for the system. This also could mean that there is a certain acceptance.

Voluntary use

The drivers were asked if they used the AAP manually (voluntary) and on which roads. Mostly it was used on highways (56% during, 60% after) and outside urban area (56% during, 50% after), less in urban area (46% during, 41% after) or 30 roads (33% during and after) outside the test area. This voluntary use indicates a first acceptance.

Keeping the system

At the end of the trial, the private test-drivers could choose to keep the ISA-system in their car. 15 private car holders chose to keep the system in the vehicle after the test-period which is a significant indication that there is an acceptance of the active accelerator pedal. The main reasons given for keeping the system was that it was assisting, comfortable and relaxed driving.