Accepted Position Papers

Turn Drivers Into Users and Keep Them Out-Of-The-Loop to Save Energy
Marcel Walch, Mark Colley, Philipp Hock, Enrico Rukzio, and Michael Weber

Abstract: Human drivers do not always drive optimally in the light of energy consumption. In contrast, automated driving allows to implement optimal eco-driving. However, to take full advantage of this, automated driving has to be used as much as possible. We suggest to implement persuasive technologies to avoid that drivers deactivate automated driving. Moreover, driver-vehicle cooperation can be implemented to broaden the operational limits in which automated driving is feasible.

Towards Reducing Energy Waste through Usage of External Communication of Autonomous Vehicles
Mark Colley, Marcel Walch, and Enrico Rukzio

Abstract: Automated vehicles can implement strategies to drive with optimized fuel efficiency. Therefore, automated driving is seen as a major advancement in tackling climate change. However, with automated vehicles driving in cities and other areas rife with other road users such as human drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists, there is the potential for “stop-and-go” traffic. This would greatly diminish the possibility of automated vehicles to drive fuel-efficient. We suggest using external communication of automated vehicles to aid in ecological driving by providing clues to other road users to show the intent and therefore ultimately enable smoother traffic.

Impact of Gender and Driver Behavior on Environmental Perception
Klemens Weigl, Theresa Zimmermann, Judith Roggenkamp, Laura Forster, and Andreas Riener

Abstract: In recent years, the rising number of environmental disasters has increased global awareness of environmental problems. Particularly, the transport sector is deemed responsible for about 30 percent of all CO2 emissions and other environmental hazards. However, several studies have shown that women are more willing to acknowledge ecological problems, but little is known whether attitudes towards the environment in relation to traffic are influenced by gender and driver behavior. Therefore, we investigated people’s attitudes towards the environment and traffic-related problems and driver behavior (e.g., miles driven per year) separately for women and men. Consequently, we carried out an empirical online questionnaire study with 190 participants (93 women; 96 men; 1 diverse). Our findings serve as a foundation for the workshop discussion on this yet rather unknown interdisciplinary topic on environment and gender as well as driver behavior and road traffic.

Investigating Spatial Presence in Virtual Reality in Automated Vehicles
Nadia Fereydooni and Bruce Walker

Abstract: Automated vehicles (AV) have the potential to save lives, reduce traffic congestion, and expand mobility, leading to a more sustainable transportation system. They can also enable vehicle occupants to engage in non-driving tasks that are becoming increasingly unrelated to driving. Performing these tasks with engaging and immersive technology such as virtual reality (VR) devices is emerging. As we make these virtual environments (VE) technologically viable, we need to look around the corner and make sure that as the technology’s novelty wears off and it becomes an everyday appliance, we are ready to understand and manage the way it affects us, our behavior, and the way we interact with the environment. Hence, we propose studying user’s special presence, the sensation of being spatially located in the mediated environment, to assist VR developers to create sustainable applications.

I Just Have One More Question – Information Assessment for Eco-Route Planning and Eco Driving
Michael A. Gerber, Sepehr G. Dehkordi, and Ronald Schroeter

Abstract: Algorithms have been developed to influence a driver’s behaviour in conventional/manual driving towards more ecofriendly driving or to suggest the most sustainable route through intelligent route planning. These algorithms need to be revised for automated vehicles (AVs) to unlock the opportunity to achieve significant eco-driving improvements, afforded by more information being available (e.g. sensor data about traffic, weather or other road users) and a more accurate target eco-driving behaviour being attainable. In addition, AVs will need to obtain information such as user preferences (e.g. urgency) that used to be implicit while the human driver performed the driving task. This raises two questions to contribute to the workshop: 1) What information has the highest impact for eco-driving and eco-routing and 2) How and when should the user get involved in the decision making process of improving sustainability?

Less is More: Climate Change and Automated Vehicles in Urban Areas
Kai Holländer and Bastian Pfleging

Abstract: We present our vision on how to mitigate anthropogenic climate change in the context of (automated) vehicles. We therefore analyze current challenges of privately owned cars and suggest a novel way to assess vehicle sustainability. Furthermore, four considerations indicate how technology, legal regulations and stakeholders in the area of urban mobility could overcome the trade-off between benefits of current traffic and sustainable, climate-friendly future means of transportation. With our ideas we aim to spark discussions within the research community, while acknowledging that they are partially far away from being implemented soon within urban environments.

Walking the Tightrope: Designing Autonomous Vehicles for Comfort and Sustainability
Christina Pakusch, Paul Bossauer, Johanna Meurer, and Gunnar Stevens

Abstract: Given current traffic problems, transport-induced air pollution and climate damaging emissions, researchers are investigating potentials of autonomous vehicles (AVs) to contribute to a more sustainable mobility. Some studies, however, indicate that the introduction of AVs may cause rebound effects that could further harm the environment such unintended modal shifts. Currently focusing on user experience design, there is an urgent need for HCI researchers to consider such negative consequences in order to responsibly design sustainable AVs.

Putting sustainability at the forefront: How can technologies and HCI support environmentally friendly mobility?
Sebastian Zepf, Jule Kramer, Stefanie Faas, and Jan-Peter Krämer

Abstract: Nowadays, the effect of climate change is more present than ever. Changes in consumer behavior are required, especially in the domain of mobility. (Hybrid) electric cars, automated driving systems, car sharing, public transportation or even changing individual driving behavior could potentially lead to a significant improvement in sustainability. However, the change towards those technologies and concepts is a long-term process that moves slowly due to several reasons such as lack of trust in those technologies and the lack of willingness for a change. We believe that latest technologies and HCI can support more sustainable behavior. In particular, (1) gamification can help encourage and establish eco-friendly behavior, (2) emotion recognition can help create systems that can influence driving behavior positively, and (3) communication of automated vehicles’ intent via an external Human-Machine Interface (eHMI) can have a positive impact on traffic flow.