Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

First Advisor

Thomas C. Eskridge, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Sujoy Ghosh Hajra, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Abdullah Aydeger, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Brian A. Lail, Ph.D.

Abstract

In human-computer interaction (HCI), the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has created new difficulties, especially in building user confidence as well as understanding of system functioning. The effect of system transparency on user- centered outcomes, such as perceived usability, perceived system reliability, and information clarity, is examined in this thesis. In order to evaluate their experiences in both ordinary and high-stakes driving situations, participants engaged with both system- transparent user interfaces (TUIs) and non-transparent user interfaces (NTUIs) across a number of experimental scenarios. In order to assess how well each interface conveyed system logic and actions, the study included scenarios like emergency braking, lane merging, and accident prevention. The findings show that user’s comprehension of system behavior was greatly enhanced by transparent interfaces, which raised the system’s usability and reliability ratings. TUIs iii were judged to be more successful by participants in lowering cognitive load and im- proving decision-making at crucial times. On the other hand, because NTUIs lacked context-specific input, they were linked to misunderstanding and decreased levels of confidence. Important conclusions emphasize how crucial it is to strike a balance between trans- parency and avoiding cognitive overload while making sure consumers receive timely, necessary information. The study highlights how important it is to effectively communicate system behaviors in order to promote safety, satisfaction, and trust in autonomous driving contexts. By offering design recommendations for user interfaces that improve the usability and dependability of self-driving car systems, this thesis advances the subject of human-computer interaction (HCI). Longitudinal studies, real-world test- ing, and the investigation of flexible interface designs to meet a range of user needs are among the suggestions for further research

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