Optimum Alert For In-Vehicle Safety Technologies

Vehicle safety technologies have played a critical role in protecting vehicle drivers for several decades. Auditory signals, for example, convey relevant data to the driver without interfering with the driving task. Vehicle auditory alerts help ensure the safest driving experience possible by providing warnings, thereby reducing road accidents caused by reckless or careless driving. Nonetheless, auditory alerts have long been a source of contention in vehicle safety features due to driver annoyance and false-alarm issues. This study aims to investigate drivers’ awareness and perceptions of in-vehicle safety technology and auditory alerts, and how these factors affect drivers’ reactions to the driving environment. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to 150 licensed drivers to collect data on their exposure to safety features, perceived usefulness and urgency of alerts, and preferred auditory characteristics. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to evaluate drivers’ perceptions alongside benchmark data from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Results show that 87% of respondents are aware of major in-vehicle safety technologies, yet 48.7% perceive them as potentially distracting while driving. Findings also identify 1000 Hz at 65 dB as the preferred auditory frequencies for safety alerts based on user responses. This study provides insights for policymakers, manufacturers, and safety stakeholders to enhance the design, acceptance, and effectiveness of in-vehicle auditory warning systems. ABSTRAK: Teknologi keselamatan kenderaan memainkan peranan penting dalam melindungi pemandu melalui ciri amaran seperti isyarat auditori yang menyampaikan maklumat keselamatan tanpa mengganggu tugas pemanduan. Walaupun amaran auditori dapat membantu mengurangkan risiko kemalangan jalan raya, isu seperti gangguan kepada pemandu dan amaran palsu masih menjadi cabaran utama. Kajian ini meneliti tahap kesedaran dan persepsi pemandu terhadap teknologi keselamatan dalam kenderaan serta amaran auditori, termasuk kesannya terhadap tindak balas pemandu dalam persekitaran pemanduan. Data diperoleh melalui soal selidik berstruktur yang melibatkan 150 pemandu berlesen, merangkumi pendedahan terhadap ciri keselamatan, persepsi kegunaan, tahap kecemasan amaran dan pilihan ciri auditori. Analisis deskriptif dan perbandingan turut dijalankan berdasarkan data penanda aras daripada Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa 87% responden menyedari kewujudan teknologi keselamatan utama dalam kenderaan, namun 48.7% menganggapnya berpotensi mengganggu pemanduan. Kajian ini juga mengenal pasti bahawa frekuensi 1000 Hz pada 65 dB merupakan ciri auditori yang paling digemari untuk amaran keselamatan. Dapatan ini dapat membantu pembuat dasar, pengeluar kenderaan dan pihak berkepentingan meningkatkan reka bentuk, penerimaan dan keberkesanan sistem amaran auditori dalam kenderaan.