ADAS Technologies and User Trust: An Area-Based Study with a Sociodemographic Focus

This study investigates the knowledge, perception and trust in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) among drivers in Eastern Sicily, a Mediterranean region characterized by infrastructural and socio-economic differences. A structured survey (N = 961) was conducted to assess user attitudes towards eight key ADAS technologies using two validated indices: the Knowledge Index (KI) and the Importance Index (II). To capture user consistency, a normalized product (z(KI) × z(II)) was calculated for each technology. This composite metric enabled the identification of three latent dimensions through exploratory factor analysis: Emergency-Triggered Systems, Adaptive and Reactive Systems and Driver Vigilance and Stability Systems. The results show a clear discrepancy between perceived importance (56.6%) and actual knowledge (35.1%). Multivariate analyses show that direct experience with ADAS-equipped vehicles significantly increases both awareness and confidence. Age is inversely correlated with knowledge, while gender has only a marginal influence. The results are consistent with established acceptance models such as TAM and UTAUT, which emphasize the role of perceived usefulness and trust. The study presents an innovative integration of psychometric metrics and behavioral theory that provides a robust and scalable framework for assessing user readiness in evolving mobility contexts, particularly in regions facing infrastructural heterogeneity and cultural changes in travel behavior.