Predictors of cyclists’ and pedestrians’ behavior in interactions with turning (Automated) vehicles − Insights from a Wizard-of-Oz study in real traffic

The subjective and objective safety of interactions between vulnerable road users (VRUs), such as cyclists and pedestrians, and automated vehicles (AVs) is essential for the successful integration of AVs into real-world traffic. Laboratory studies have shown that vehicle dynamics are particularly crucial for the experience and behavior of VRUs when interacting with both AVs and manually-driven vehicles (MVs). However, since AVs are still rare in urban traffic, field study results are also scarce. The present study employs the Wizard-of-Oz (WoOz) method, where a safety driver is hidden inside the vehicle, making it appear driverless from the outside. This vehicle then interacted with naïve VRUs at a signal-controlled intersection in Munich. Unlike in comparable studies, the complex traffic scenario involved crossing in front of turning vehicles. The study analyzed the extent to which the behavior (recorded via video) and experience (post-crossing survey) of the VRUs differed depending on whether the vehicle was seemingly automated or an MV. Additionally, known influencing factors, such as age, gender, and vehicle dynamics, were included in the analysis to determine whether potential effects remained significant. The results indicate that the automation status of the vehicle influenced behavior (crossing time, head movements towards the vehicle, post-crossing reactions). Furthermore, vehicle dynamics were particularly decisive for behavior and also seemed to influence perceived safety. This underscores the importance of considering vehicle dynamics in the development and implementation of AVs.