Why Drivers Feel the Way They Do: An On-the-road Study Using Self-Reports and Geo-Tagging

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In automotive research, the current hot topic of emotion recognition is mainly technology-driven, focusing on the development of sensors and algorithms that ensure recognition accuracy and reliability. Often, a subjective reference, i.e., information about what drivers actually feel, is missing for the interpretation of the data collected. Thus, this paper explores the subjective component of drivers’ emotions, focusing on when, where, and why they occur. In an on-the-road study, 34 drivers tracked their emotions and the triggers of these experiences in-situ. In total, 367 verbal self-reports were captured, providing insights into the spatial-temporal distribution of drivers’ emotions and their determinants. Results show, for example, that intersections are emotional hotspots, and that positive emotions arise especially at the beginning and at the end of the drive. The results can help to understand emotion recognition data and to infer drivers’ emotions from contextual information if no emotion data is available.