Use of Advanced In-Vehicle Technology By Young and Older Early Adopters: Survey Results on Headlamp Systems

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Use of Advanced In-Vehicle Technology By Young and Older Early Adopters: Survey Results on Headlamp Systems

J. W. Jenness / N. D. Lerner / S. Mazor / J. S. Osberg / B. C. Tefft

This document describes the results of survey research undertaken by the Automobile Club of Southern California. Ten thousand questionnaires were mailed to insurance customers who own vehicles that may have high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps or directionally adaptive headlamps as standard or optional original equipment. Half of the questionnaires were mailed to vehicle owners who were younger than 65, and half of the questionnaires were mailed to owners who were 65 or older. Approximately 21 percent of the questionnaires were returned, including 1,117 from HID headlamp owners. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with 34 respondents. Survey items addressed topics such as learning to use the system, behavioral adaptation, system effectiveness, and perceived safety of the system. Several differences in responses between younger and older respondents were noted. Other response differences were related to vehicle manufacturer and experience with the vehicle (miles driven). Study limitations and implications of the results are discussed.