Pedestrian Groups Matter: Unraveling their Impact on Pedestrian Crossings when Interacting with an Automated Vehicle

Since future mobility will change into mixed traffic, the communication approach of automated vehicles should consider multiple human receivers. This virtual reality study investigates the external communication of an automated vehicle in interactions with multiple pedestrians. Involving 42 participants, the study explores the impact of a simulated pedestrian group at the roadside, a seldom-explored aspect in current research on human-vehicle interactions. Results reveal a significant influence of the additional pedestrian group on participants' behaviors and perceptions, emphasizing the need for nuanced communication strategies in automated vehicle design. This paper contributes to understanding social factors in automated vehicle interactions, providing valuable insights for future research and the development of human-centric automated vehicle communication systems.