Enhancing ADAS Training: Examining the Effects of Training Modes and Styles on Driver Knowledge and Decision-Making

As Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) become increasingly common in modern vehicles, drivers often misunderstand how these systems work and when they reach their limits, which can lead to unsafe driving behaviors. This study examined how training modes (video vs. in-vehicle) and training styles (demonstration vs. practice) affect drivers’ ADAS knowledge improvement and decision-making accuracy when responding to system limitations. Sixty participants were assigned to one of four conditions covering three Level 1 and Level 2 ADAS features: Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Partial Automation. In-vehicle training produced greater knowledge gains than video-based training overall. For Partial Automation specifically, in-vehicle demonstration and video-based practice both outperformed video demonstration. However, knowledge improvement did not translate to better decision-making accuracy in any condition. These findings suggest that ADAS training should go beyond teaching system limitations and also help drivers apply that knowledge when system limitations occur during driving.