A Bibliometric and Topic Modeling Analysis of Human Factors in Automated Driving: Emerging Trends, Challenges, and Future Research

In the era of artificial intelligence, automated driving technologies are progressing toward higher levels of vehicle autonomy, introducing new forms of interaction among human drivers, other road users, and remote operators. These developments raise important human-centered questions. Over the past decade, research efforts have been devoted to understanding the human factors and ergonomics (HFE) challenges associated with automated driving systems. In this review, we consolidate and analyze the evolution of HFE research in automated driving, offering an integrated perspective on major trends and emerging directions in the field. We adopt a multi-stage analytical approach that combines bibliometric analysis with topic modeling to characterize the literature, followed by a qualitative examination of 26 research topics and eight research themes. Future directions highlight several critical challenges, including the need for theoretical integration within HFE disciplines, expansion toward larger socio-technical systems, more systematic incorporation of HFE principles in automated driving development, and cross-disciplinary collaborations.