Beyond intent: enhancing transparency in automated vehicle behaviour by visualising their connectivity

Tran, TTM; Parker, C; Wang, Y; Tomistch, M

Beyond intent: enhancing transparency in automated vehicle behaviour by visualising their connectivity

Tran, TTM Parker, C Wang, Y Tomistch, M

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Publisher:: Springer Nature
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2025, 84, (21), pp. 1-22
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Tran, TTM
dc.contributor.author	Parker, C
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Y
dc.contributor.author	Tomistch, M
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-15T06:03:53Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-15T06:03:53Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Multimedia Tools and Applications, 2025, 84, (21), pp. 1-22
dc.identifier.issn	1380-7501
dc.identifier.issn	1573-7721
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188318
dc.description.abstract	Enhancing transparency in automated vehicle (AV) behaviour can help pedestrians understand how AVs work, which builds trust and ensures safer interactions. As AVs increasingly operate as part of a coordinated network, it is important to make their connectivity clear, helping pedestrians anticipate AV behaviour on the road. This study uses a qualitative design exploration to investigate visual methods for conveying AV connectivity. In the first phase, design concepts were generated using a biomimicry approach, drawing inspiration from nature, such as the harmonious chirping of crickets. In the second phase, focus groups with 16 participants were conducted to gather new concept ideas and evaluate the biomimicry-inspired designs. Our findings suggest that network symbols (e.g., Wi-Fi signals) or graphical elements resembling these symbols (e.g., ripple waves) are more effective in communicating connectivity than abstract methods, such as light patterns moving in a coordinated manner across vehicles. Highly visible connectivity cues may enhance pedestrians' perceived safety, a promising area for future research. This research contributes to ongoing efforts in designing intuitive visual communication strategies for AVs, moving beyond intent communication to include how AVs function as a network.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Springer Nature
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP200102604
dc.relation.ispartof	Multimedia Tools and Applications
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11042-025-20758-6
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, 0803 Computer Software, 0805 Distributed Computing, 0806 Information Systems
dc.subject.classification	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing
dc.subject.classification	Software Engineering
dc.subject.classification	4009 Electronics, sensors and digital hardware
dc.subject.classification	4603 Computer vision and multimedia computation
dc.subject.classification	4605 Data management and data science
dc.subject.classification	4606 Distributed computing and systems software
dc.title	Beyond intent: enhancing transparency in automated vehicle behaviour by visualising their connectivity
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	84
utslib.for	0801 Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing
utslib.for	0803 Computer Software
utslib.for	0805 Distributed Computing
utslib.for	0806 Information Systems
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Provost
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Provost/TD School
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-07-15T06:03:51Z
pubs.issue	21
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	84
utslib.citation.issue	21

Abstract:

Enhancing transparency in automated vehicle (AV) behaviour can help pedestrians understand how AVs work, which builds trust and ensures safer interactions. As AVs increasingly operate as part of a coordinated network, it is important to make their connectivity clear, helping pedestrians anticipate AV behaviour on the road. This study uses a qualitative design exploration to investigate visual methods for conveying AV connectivity. In the first phase, design concepts were generated using a biomimicry approach, drawing inspiration from nature, such as the harmonious chirping of crickets. In the second phase, focus groups with 16 participants were conducted to gather new concept ideas and evaluate the biomimicry-inspired designs. Our findings suggest that network symbols (e.g., Wi-Fi signals) or graphical elements resembling these symbols (e.g., ripple waves) are more effective in communicating connectivity than abstract methods, such as light patterns moving in a coordinated manner across vehicles. Highly visible connectivity cues may enhance pedestrians' perceived safety, a promising area for future research. This research contributes to ongoing efforts in designing intuitive visual communication strategies for AVs, moving beyond intent communication to include how AVs function as a network.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188318