Usability Study to evaluate an Infotainment Tablet App for an Autonomous Family Vehicle
Level 3 Vehicles in Mixed Traffic - Interactions with Manual Drivers on the Highway
Subjective and Objective Safety of Cyclists in Interaction with Motorists—An Exploratory Observational Study at the Steinweg/Am Theater Intersection in Braunschweig
Safety, Mobility, and Acceptance: Perspectives of Older Adults Aged 64 and Older on the automated family vehicle autoELFE and automated mobility
What is the ideal driving behavior for automated vehicles from the perspective of a manual driver?
Master's Theses (Selection)
User Experience of Persuasive Design Elements in Fitness-Tracking Apps: Relationships with Motivation, Pressure, and Tracking Intensity
Family Perspectives on Autonomous Vehicles: A Systematic Literature Review
Learning Effects of Visually Induced Attention Steering: The Influence of Light Cues on Gaze Duration in Automated Driving (SAE Level 3) - An Eye-Tracking Study in a Driving Simulator
When the Self-Driving Family Car Speaks: How Auditory System Support Improves the User Experience for Children in Highly Automated Vehicles
Usability of the TU Braunschweig AI Toolbox
Usability Analysis of the “Degree Programs from A to Z” Section: An Investigation of the User Experiences of Prospective Students
Focus on Usability: Evaluation and Optimization of the Information Architecture of the Website of the Institute of Psychology at TU Braunschweig
Kuhlmann, K., Helweg, S., Brettin, L.J., Schräder, T., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (submitted). “The autonomous vehicle is talking to me!” – Children’s interaction with the “autoELF” autonomous vehicle prototype in a “Wizard of Oz” study.
Seitz, G., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (2026). Older Adults’ Perspectives on the Autonomous Family Vehicle autoELF: A Contextual Interview Study. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 39, 102139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2026.102139
Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (under review). Usability and User Experience of Older Adults in an Autonomous Vehicle: Insights from the autoELF High-fidelity Prototype Study.
Schmidt, V., & Seitz, G. (2026). Family Perspectives on Autonomous Vehicles: A Systematic Literature Review. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 120, 103653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2026.103653
Kuhlmann, K., Schmidt, V., & Vollrath, M. (2025). But First Let Me See: Comparison of Light Cues after a Take-Over Request in Automated Driving. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 115, 103346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2025.103346
Stange, V., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., & Maurer, M. (2025). Children’s perspectives on autonomous vehicles: A usability and user experience study in a high-fidelity prototype. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 31, 101447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2025.101447
Steimle, M.*, Stange, V.*, Vollrath, M., & Maurer, M. (2025). Human&Vehicle-in-the-Loop Test Method in Human Factors Research on Automated Vehicles: Conceptualization, Realization, Case-Study, and Lessons Learned. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 29, 101282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2024.101282 *equal contribution
Stange, V., Behrens, L., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., & Maurer, M. (2024). Parents’ perspectives on transporting their children in autonomous vehicles – A contextual interview study with parents in Germany. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 107, 436-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.08.030
Stange, V., Steimle, M., Maurer, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Is the automated vehicle “aware” of the pedestrian? Examining driving behavior adaptation as a cue to inform the passenger of a potential hazard. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 16, 100701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2022.100701
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Manual Drivers’ Experience and Driving Behavior in Repeated Interactions with automated Level 3 Vehicles in Mixed Traffic on the Highway. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 87, 426–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.04.019
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Safety at First Sight? – Manual Drivers’ Experience and Driving Behavior at First Contact with Level 3 Vehicles in Mixed Traffic on the Highway. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 87, 327–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.04.004
Stange, V., Goralzik, A., Ernst, S., Steimle, M., Maurer, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Please stop now, automated vehicle! – Passengers aim to avoid risk experiences in interactions with a crossing vulnerable road user at an urban junction. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 87, 164–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.04.001
Faas, S. M., Stange, V., & Baumann, M. (2021). Self-Driving Vehicles and Pedestrian Interaction: Does an External Human-Machine Interface Mitigate the Threat of a Tinted Windshield or a Distracted Driver? International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 37(14), 1364–1374. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2021.1886483
Research reports
Friedrich, B., Mayerhofer, A., Yilmaz-Niewerth, S., Vollrath, M., Stange, V., Maurer, M., Ernst, S., Steimle, M., Salem, N., Timmermann, C., & Diekmann, N. (2021). Automatisiertes Fahren im Mischverkehr - Untersuchung der Sicherheit und Leistungsfähigkeit des urbanen Mischverkehrs unter Berücksichtigung des inhärenten Risikos (AFiM), Abschlussbericht. Technische Universität Braunschweig. https://doi.org/10.2314/KXP:1787204987
Stange, V., Vollrath, M., & Kühn, M. (2020). Hochautomatisiertes Fahren im Mischverkehr. Reaktionen menschlicher Fahrer auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge. Unfallforschung der Versicherer. Forschungsbericht Nr. 71. GDV.
Conference proceedings
Brettin, L.J., Schräder, T., Kuhlmann, K., Schmidt, V., & Maurer, M. (accepted). A Companion App for an Autonomous Family Vehicle: Identification of Values for an Autonomous Mobility System. IEEE Intelligent Vehicles (IV) Symposium, June 22-25, 2026, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Kuhlmann, K., Brettin, L.J., Schräder, T., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (2025). Auditory Feedback in AV Interaction – Impact on Children's Task Performance and Satisfaction. Proceedings of the 9th Humanist Conference. Chemnitz, Germany, 27.08. – 29.08.2025. https://doi.org/10.60687/2026-0061
Stange, V., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., & Maurer, M. (2024). Children’s and parents’ first interactions with the autonomous family vehicle autoELF – A usability study. Proceedings of the 8th Humanist Conference. Berlin, Germany, 21.09. – 23.09.2023.
Stange, V., Helweg, S., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Take a Seat! – Passengers’ Perceived Risk and Driving Behavior Preferences During Automated Driving in Urban Mixed Traffic Depending on the Seating Position. In K. Plant and G. Praetorius (Eds.), Human Factors in Transportation. AHFE (2022) International Conference. AHFE Open Access, Vol. 60, pp. 109-116. AHFE International, USA. doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1002440
Stange, V., Goralzik, A., & Vollrath, M. (2021). Keep Your Distance, Automated Vehicle! – Configuration of Automated Driving Behavior at an Urban Junction from a Cyclist’s Perspective. In N. Stanton (Ed.), Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation. AHFE 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 270, pp. 393-402. Springer, Cham. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80012-3_45
Kühn, M., Stange, V., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Menschliche Reaktion auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge im Mischverkehr auf der Autobahn. In 10. VDI Tagung Mensch-Maschine-Mobilität 2019 – Der (Mit-)Fahrer im 21.Jahrhundert!?, VDI Bericht 2360 (S.169-184). VDI.
Sterthoff, J., Stange, V., Hafner, A., Henze, R., Küçükay, F., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Stillstehendes Lenkrad im automatisierten Fahrzeug: Fahrerübergabe, Sicherheitsempfinden & Komfort. In 10. VDI Tagung Mensch-Maschine-Mobilität 2019 – Der (Mit-)Fahrer im 21.Jahrhundert!?, VDI Bericht 2360 (S.81-94). VDI.
Scientific talks and posters
Helweg, S., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (accepted). Enhancing Children’s Interaction with a Level 4 Vehicle Using Auditory System Feedback and Solution Prompts. 54. DGPs Congress, Luxemburg, Luxemberg, 07. – 10.09.2026.
Seitz, G.V. & Schmidt, V. (accepted). Families and Automated Vehicles: A Systematic Literature Review [Poster Presentation]. 54. DGPs Congress, Luxemburg, Luxemberg, 07. – 10.09.2026.
Schmidt, V., & Seitz, G.V. (2026). Family Perspectives on Autonomous Vehicles for (Un)accompanied Child Transportation: A Systematic Literature Review [Poster Presentation]. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2026, Copenhagen, Denmark, 22.04. – 24.04.2026.
Berghöfer, F.L., Schmidt, V., & Vollrath, M. (2026). Behavioural Adaptation to Automated Vehicles in Mixed Traffic – a Longitudinal Simulator Study. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2026, Copenhagen, Denmark, 22.04. – 24.04.2026.
Helweg, S., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (2026). Enhancing Children’s Interaction with a Level 4 Vehicle Using Auditory System Feedback and Solution Prompts. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2026, Copenhagen, Denmark, 22.04. – 24.04.2026.
Kuhlmann, K., Brettin, L.J., Schräder, T., Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (2025). Auditory Feedback in AV Interaction – Impact on Children's Task Performance and Satisfaction. 8th Humanist Conference. Chemnitz, Germany, 27.08.– 29.08.2025.
Kuhlmann, K., Helweg, S., Brettin, L., Schräder, T., & Maurer, M., & Schmidt, V. (2025). Enhancing Autonomous Vehicle Interaction: The Impact of Auditory Feedback Strategies on Children Users’ Task Performance and Satisfaction [Poster Presentation]. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2025, Bologna, Italy, 09.04. – 11.04.2025.
Berghoefer, F. L., Schmidt, V., & Vollrath, M. (2024). Drivers' adaption to automated vehicles in a longitudinal perspective [Poster Presentation]. 36th International Cooperation on Theories and Concepts in Traffic Safety, The Hague, The Netherlands, 17.10. – 18.10.2024.
Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., Maurer, M. & Schmidt, V. (2024). Empowering the mobility of older adults via autonomous cars: A usability study of the high-fidelity prototype autoELF [Poster Presentation]. 36th International Cooperation on Theories and Concepts in Traffic Safety, The Hague, The Netherlands, 17. – 18.10.2024.
Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L.J., Maurer, M., & Stange, V. (2024). Enhancing Usability for Older Users in an Autonomous Car: Insights from the autoELF Study. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2024, Lübeck, Germany, 17.04. – 19.04.2024.
Stange, V., Burgstaler, N., & Vollrath, M. (2023). How do subsequent manual drivers evaluate and react to automated lead vehicles in ambiguous driving situations in urban mixed traffic? 35. ICTCT, Catania, Italy, 26.10. – 27.10.2023.
Stange, V., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L., & Maurer, M. (2023). Children's and parents' first interactions with the autonomous family vehicle autoELF – A usability study [Paper presentation]. 8. Humanist Conference, Berlin, Germany, 21.09. – 22.09.2023.
Stange, V., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L., & Maurer, M., (2023). User experience of parents and their underage children using the automated family vehicle autoELF - A study with a high-fidelity vehicle prototype. [Poster presentation]. 5th International Conference on HCI in mobility, transport and automotive systems, Copenhagen, Denmark, 25.07. – 28.07.2023.
Stange, V., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L., & Maurer, M., (2023). The autonomous family vehicle autoELF – Results from a usability study with parents and their minor children using a high-fidelity prototype. [Poster presentation]. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2023, Liverpool, Great Britain, 26.04. – 28.04.2023.
Stange, V., Steimle, M., Maurer, M., & Vollrath, M. (2023). Is the automated driving system “aware” of the pedestrian? Results from two driving simulators. 65. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen [Symposium]. Trier, Germany, 26.03. – 29.03.2023.
Behrens, L., Kuhlmann, K., Schräder, T., Brettin, L., Maurer, M., & Stange, V. (2023). The autonomous family vehicle autoELF - Use cases and requirements of parents with minor children. 65. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen [Symposium]. Trier, Germany, 26.03. – 29.03.2023.
Stange, V., Steimle, M., Maurer, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). The Human & Vehicle-in-the-Loop test method: Investigating interactions between passengers of automated vehicles and vulnerable road users in urban mixed traffic [Paper presentation]. 34. ICTCT, Györ, Hungary, 27.10. – 28.10.2022.
Helweg, S., Stange, V.,Vollrath, M. (2022). Der Einfluss des Sitzplatzes auf die Risikowahrnehmung und die Fahrverhaltenspräferenzen von Mitfahrenden beim automatisierten Fahren im städtischen Mischverkehr [Paper presentation]. 52nd Congress of the German Psychological Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie, DGPs), Hildesheim, Germany, 10.09. – 15.09.2022.
Stange, V. & Vollrath, M. (2022). Role models or obstacles? – Manual drivers’ behavioral adaptations to L3 vehicles on the highway [Poster presentation]. European Summer School on Eye Movements (ESSEM 2022). Bonn, Germany, 05.09. – 10.09.2022.
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Human driver reaction to conditional automation in mixed traffic [Paper Presentation]. 7th International Conference on Traffic and Tranport Psychology (ICTTP). Göteborg, Sweden, 23.08. – 25.08.2022.
Stange, V., Helweg, S., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Take a Seat! – Passengers' Perceived Risk and Driving Behavior Preferences During Automated Driving in Urban Traffic Depending on the Seat Position [Paper presentation]. Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics (AHFE 2022). Online / New York City, USA, 24.07. – 28.07.2022.
Stange, V., Steimle, M., Ernst, S., Maurer, M., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Being chauffeured in the Vehicle-in-the-Loop: Passenger interactions with vulnerable road users at an urban junction [Paper presentation]. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) Europe Chapter Annual Meeting 2022, Turin, Italy, 20.04. – 22.04.2022.
Stange, V., & Vollrath, M. (2022). Reaktionen manueller Fahrer auf den wiederholten Kontakt mit Level 3 Fahrzeugen im Mischverkehr auf der Autobahn. 64. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen [Symposium]. Online, 20.03. – 23.03.2022.
Stange, V., Goralzik, A., & Vollrath, M. (2021). Past the braking point?! Configruation of highly automated driving behavior at an urban junction from a vulnerable road user's perspective [Paper presentation]. 33. ICTCT Conference, Online, 28.10. – 29.10.2021.
Stange, V., Ernst, S., Maurer, M., & Vollrath, M. (2021). Gefahren werden im Vehicle-in-the-Loop: Virtual Reality trifft auf Realfahrt [Poster presentation]. 12. Tagung der Fachgruppe Arbeits-, Organisations-, und Wirtschaftspsychologie sowie Ingenieurpsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie, Chemnitz, Germany, 22.09. – 24.09.2021.
Stange, V., Goralzik, A., & Vollrath, M. (2021). Keep your distance, automated vehicle! – Configuration of automated driving behavior at an urban junction from a cyclist’s perspective [Paper presentation]. AHFE, Online, 25.07. – 29.07.2021.
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2021). Wie reagieren menschliche Fahrer auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge im Mischverkehr?. 63. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen [Symposium]. TeaP@Home, Online, 14.03. – 17.03.2021.
Stange, V., Goralzik, A., & Vollrath, M. (2020). Past the braking point?! Configruation of highly automated driving behavior at an urban junction from a vulnerable road user's perspective [Paper presentation]. 33. ICTCT Conference, Berlin, Germany, 22.10. – 23.10.2020. [Conference cancelled]
Sterthoff, J., Stange, V., Henze, R., Vollrath, M., & Küçükay, F. (2020). Stationary Steering Wheel – Transition to Manual [Paper presentation]. 29. Aachener Colloquium Sustainable Mobility. Online, 05.10. – 07.10.2020.
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2020). Human driver reactions to L3 vehicles in mixed traffic on the motorway [Poster presentation]. L3 Pilot Summer School. Online, 09.10. – 10.10.2020.
Stange, V., Kühn, M., Gehlert, T., & Vollrath, M. (2020). Reaktion menschlicher Fahrer auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge im Mischverkehr [Präsentation]. 52. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs). Vienna, Austria, 14.09. – 17.09.2020. [Conference cancelled]
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2020). Human driver reaction to conditional automation in mixed traffic [Paper presentation]. 7th International Conference on Traffic and Tranport Psychology (ICTTP). Göteborg, Sweden, 24.08. – 27.08.2020. [Conference postponed to 2022]
Vollrath, M., Stange, V., Wülker, S. (2020). Wie wollen menschliche Fahrer in der Stadt gefahren werden? [Paper presentation]. 62. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen. Jena, Germany, 22.03. – 25.03.2020. [Conference cancelled]
Stange, V., Kühn, M., & Vollrath, M. (2020). Wie reagieren menschliche Fahrer auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge im Mischverkehr? [Paper presentation]. 62. Tagung experimentell arbeitender Psychologen. Jena, Germany, 22.03. – 25.03.2020. [Conference cancelled]
Kühn, M., Stange, V., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Menschliche Reaktion auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge im Mischverkehr auf der Autobahn [Paper presentation].10. VDI Tagung Mensch-Maschine-Mobilität - Der (Mit-)Fahrer im 21.Jahrhundert!?. Braunschweig, Germany, 05. – 06.11.2019.
Sterthoff, J., Stange, V., Hafner, A., Henze, R., Küçükay, F., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Stillstehendes Lenkrad im automatisierten Fahrzeug: Fahrerübergabe, Sicherheitsempfinden & Komfort [Paper presentation]. 10. VDI Tagung Mensch-Maschine-Mobilität – Der (Mit-)Fahrer im 21.Jahrhundert!? Braunschweig, Germany, 05. – 06.11.2019.
Huemer, A. K., Stange, V., & Wiegard, V. (2019). Pedestrians’ emotions in traffic interactions: expectations towards automated vehicles [Poster presentation]. 32. ICTCT Conference. Warsaw, Poland, 24. – 25.10.2019.
Stange, V., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Menschliche Reaktionen auf hochautomatisierte Fahrzeuge [Paper presentation]. 13. Doktorandenworkshop der Fachgruppe Verkehrspsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie. Münster, Germany, 30.09. – 02.10.2019.
Otte, A.-C., Stange, V., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Tatsächliches Wissen oder wahrgenommenes Wissen – Was beeinflusst die Einstellung gegenüber hochautomatisierten Fahrzeugen mehr? [Poster presentation]. 11. Tagung der Fachgruppe Arbeits-, Organisations-, und Wirtschaftspsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie. Braunschweig, Germany, 24. – 27.09.2019.
Stange, V., Huemer, A. K., & Vollrath, M. (2019). Mensch vs. Maschine- Wer meistert sicherheitskritische Situationen besser? [Poster presentation]. 3. Kongress der Fachgruppe Verkehrspsychologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Psychologie. Saarbrücken, Germany, 05.03. – 07.03.2019.
