User Acceptance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Their Implications for Urban Mobility: Evidence from Focus Groups in Hungary

Balassa, Boglárka Eisingerné; Choi, Minje; Baquillas, Jonna C.; Koteczki, Réka · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.20944/preprints202603.1536.v1

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Summary

This study investigates the user acceptance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in urban driving contexts, specifically focusing on Hungarian drivers. Motivated by the rapid urbanization and associated traffic safety risks, the research addresses a gap in existing literature, which has predominantly relied on quantitative methods and focused on North American, Western European, and East Asian populations. The authors aim to provide a qualitative, context-sensitive understanding of how drivers in Central and Eastern Europe perceive, trust, and utilize key ADAS functions: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping/Centering Assist (LKA/LCA), and Forward Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA). The study seeks to determine how infrastructure conditions, perceived usefulness, and driver trust shape acceptance, with particular attention to age-related differences and barriers to adoption. The methodology employed qualitative focus group discussions conducted in Győr, Hungary, between December 2024 and February 2025. Three semi-structured sessions involved 23 participants aged 20–50, recruited to represent varying levels of driving experience and familiarity with ADAS. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify underlying meaning structures and behavioral patterns. The interview guide covered experiences with ADAS, system use, trust, usability, and expectations for future technologies like turn assist systems. This approach allowed for the exploration of how participants collectively negotiated views on safety, risk, and control in dense urban environments. The findings reveal that ADAS acceptance is highly context-dependent and function-specific. ACC was primarily viewed as a comfort-enhancing tool, particularly valued on longer or monotonous routes, but less critical in stop-and-go urban traffic. In contrast, LCA was often perceived as intrusive and unreliable in urban settings due to poor road markings, potholes, and frequent lane changes. Conversely, safety-oriented functions such as blind spot monitoring and FCTA received positive evaluations due to their direct safety benefits. Key dimensions influencing acceptance included trust, perceived risk, and the desire for control. Many participants preferred warning-based support over strong autonomous interventions, emphasizing the need for transparency and user-centered design. Age-related differences were noted, with younger drivers generally showing higher confidence in automation, while older drivers were more critical of system complexity. The study concludes that urban acceptance of ADAS is shaped by the interaction of infrastructure quality, perceived utility, and driver trust. The results highlight the necessity for more transparent, context-sensitive system designs that align with user expectations and local driving conditions. For policymakers and manufacturers, the findings suggest that improving road infrastructure and enhancing user education can facilitate greater adoption and effective use of ADAS. By addressing user concerns regarding reliability and control, stakeholders can ensure that investments in smart city transportation deliver tangible safety and efficiency benefits. This research contributes to the field by providing nuanced, qualitative insights from an underrepresented region, emphasizing the sociotechnical nature of ADAS integration in urban mobility.

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Topics

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• acceptance adoption
• trust calibration
• adas effectiveness
• automation surprise
• automation

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: self report data, observational prevalence