Only selected findings from the subsystem pilot study are presented in the current report since the
primary goal was a pilot for the full STC system evaluation. Note that a comparison of subsystem
findings to the subsequent full system findings is not advisable since subsystem users, by definition,
were not exposed to a fully functional design. Additional details and results for this pilot study are
found in Appendix I: Evaluation of a Prototype Safer Teen Car: Conduct Evaluations of
Subsystems.
The findings from the pilot were of two general sorts: effects of the system on teen driver
behavior/acceptance and the adequacy of the instrumentation and methods used. Selected findings
on behavior and acceptance will be presented first. However, given the small number of participants
under each subsystem condition, as well as reliability or other issues with some of the subsystems,
relatively few comparisons were found to be of statistical significance. This was anticipated and the
primary function of the pilot was to uncover any concerns that would need to be addressed prior to
the full system evaluation.
Key findings regarding teen driver and parent responses to STC subsystems were: