729 research outputs found
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A Look in the (Driver’s) Mirror: Use of Portable Electronic Devices While Driving by the Driver Safety Research Community
No full textAs the frequency and diversity of use of portable electronic devices by drivers has increased, so have the roadway safety concerns associated with such multitasking. It has been argued that the driving public needs to be better informed about the risks of multitasking, and if they were so informed, people would restrict such practices. Yet various surveys show that in general the public seems to recognize that the use of portable electronic devices while driving does impose significant risk. This study reports the results of a survey of highway and vehicle safety professionals, a group highly informed about the problem and often engaged in efforts on this very issue. It would be instructive to see how this group behaves in terms of its own portable electronic device use while driving. An internet survey was distributed to members of two prominent professional society technical groups in driver safety. The survey revealed substantial cell phone use while driving, moderate text messaging, and little engagement in such activities as social networking, internet browsing, or e-book reading. Members of this expert community actively provided guidance about portable electronic device use while driving to others, including children and teens, family, and friends
Assessing Driver Behavioral Adaptation to a Rural Intersection Driver Support System
No full textDriver support systems have the potential to improve driving safety. However, most research only evaluates initial performance with the system and does not evaluate continued adaptation to the system to determine if the benefit continues or is negated by unintended use of the system. The efficacy of a previously evaluated rural intersection driver support system was examined in a simulated driving environment relative to system introduction, continued use, and potential positive transfer/carry over effects. Participants drove through a simulated rural intersection twelve times each day for a week with an intersection decision support system turned off during days one and five and turned on days two, three, and four. This experimental design allowed for an examination of the efficacy of the driver support system upon initial introduction, after continued use, and whether there were any carry-over effects. Results indicated drivers benefited from the rural intersection driver support system and that the benefit continued as exposure to the system continued. In addition, drivers continued to benefit from system use even after the system was no longer available. Results are discussed in terms of driver performance while using the system
Assessing Drivers’ Fatigue State Under Real Traffic Conditions Using EEG Alpha Spindles
No full textThe effectiveness of EEG alpha spindles, defined by short narrowband bursts in the alpha band, as an objective measure for assessing driver fatigue under real driving conditions was examined using an algorithm for the identification of alpha spindles. The method is applied to data recorded under real traffic conditions and compared with the performance of the traditional EEG fatigue measure alpha band power. Statistical analysis revealed significant increases from the first to the last driving section of alpha band power; with larger effect sizes for the alpha spindle based measures. An increased level of fatigue for drop-outs, as compared to participants who did not abort the drive, was observed only by means of alpha spindle parameters. EEG alpha spindle parameters increase both fatigue detection sensitivity and specificity as compared to EEG alpha band power. It is demonstrated that alpha spindles are superior to EEG band power measures for assessing driver fatigue under real traffic conditions
Developing a Driver-Centric Roadway Classification System with Multidimensional Scaling
No full textVarious systems exist to classify roadway environments; however most do not consider driver-relevant perceptual components. A perceptually based roadway classification system has the potential to support the placement of signage (or removal of extraneous clutter) in the right-of-way as a means to enhance driver performance. The present study sought to determine which environmental factors are attended to by roadway users. Thirteen participants first rated the similarity of 14 roadway environments and then rated each environment on 5 different descriptors (built-up, clutter, openness, aesthetically pleasing, organized/predictable). The resultant data were analyzed using a methodology rarely taken advantage of in the field of transportation: Multidimensional Scaling (MDS). MDS revealed the participants relied on two primary dimensions when rating the similarity of the roadway environments. These two dimensions related closely with: 1) organization/predictability and 2) clutter and aesthetics. This methodology provides a simple way to gain access to drivers’ perceptions of the roadway environment and appears to be a promising first step toward developing a user-focused roadway classification system
A Simulator Comparison of Riding Performance Between New, Returned and Continuing Motorcycle Riders
No full textMotorcycle riders constitute an increasing proportion of deaths and injuries due to road crashes. Further, older riders represent an increasing proportion of motorcycle riders, with particular concern for those who have returned to riding after a substantial break (returned riders). These riders seem reluctant to undertake any sort of refresher training. In a motorcycle simulator task continuing riders performed best, followed by newly licensed riders, and then returned riders, though that result did not extend to crashes that occurred in the simulator
Inhibitory Control and Reward Predict Risky Driving in Young Novice Drivers: A Simulator Study
No full textThe purpose of our study is to unravel the cognitive mechanisms that underlie risky driving in young novice drivers. Based on the two pillars of the Dual Systems Model of adolescent risk taking, we hypothesized that (1) lower capacity for cognitive control (inhibitory control), (2) a rewarding context, and (3) the interaction of these predict risky driving and constitute part of the cognitive basis for the large number of crashes in the young novice driver population. Two groups different in age (n=31, 17-18 year-olds; n=22, 22-24 year-olds), but equal in driving experience participated in our experiment. Each participant completed two 28km test-drives in a STISIM M400 driving simulator. In the first drive, participants were asked to drive as they normally do. For the second drive, participants were told they could obtain a monetary reward for completing the drive as fast as possible, although for each collision or traffic violation (except speeding), penalty time would be imposed. Inhibitory control was measured by means of a stop signal reaction time task (SSRT). Measures of risky driving included: standard deviation of lateral lane position (SDLP), responses to critical events, speeding, and red light running. We found that: (1) inhibitory control still improves within the young driver population; (2) lowered inhibitory control had a driving specific effect: drivers with lower inhibitory control (SSRT) had a higher SDLP; (3) a rewarding context predicts risky driving as speeding and red light running occurred more often in the trip with than without reward
On-Road Evaluation of Destination Entry and Way-Finding Tasks: Comparisons Against Normal Driving
No full textWhile relative comparisons between “distracting” tasks (e.g. dialing a cell phone vs. talking on the cell phone) are useful, “normal driving” remains the benchmark for any task performed by the driver while a vehicle is in motion. Arguably, tasks that are less risky will result in observed patterns of driver behavior that are closer to those observed during normal driving. This paper describes the outcome of a study to compare destination entry and wayfinding across different navigation devices (with different input modalities) against epochs where the driver was not tasked with any other secondary or tertiary tasks (beyond occasional conversation with the experimenter). Results indicate some significant differences between destination entry tasks and normal driving, the magnitudes of which are mainly modulated by the input modality. Differences were less obvious during the navigation tasks, likely due to the intermittent nature of interactions with the navigation device in that context. Total eyes off-road time was also subjected to comparisons against previously published crash and nearcrash risk estimate models. The results suggest that, assuming confidence in the models, there may be differences in the levels of crash and near-crash risk associated with different navigation devices. The approach is presented as a potential additional metric to consider in assessing devices that are used by drivers in moving vehicles
Psychiatric Disorders and Driver Safety: A Systematic Review
No full textDriving is a complicated psychomotor performance that depends on the driver’s ability to maintain effective and reliable control of his or her vehicle; respond to the road, traffic, and other external clues; and follow the “rules of the road”. Psychiatric disorders may interfere with any of the aforementioned driving skills to a significant degree, resulting in impaired driving ability. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between psychiatric disorders and driver safety. The relationship between driver safety and four subgroups of psychiatric disorders was examined, as well as the relationship between crash risk and personality disorder traits. Our results indicate that, while the possibility of an increased crash risk among drivers with psychiatric disorders cannot be ruled out, the evidence concerning crash risk for drivers with psychiatric disorders is inconclusive. Current evidence concerning crash risk among drivers with psychotic, mood, anxiety or personality disorders is inconclusive, although some evidence suggests that individuals with mood disorders are at increased risk for crash. The evidence also suggests an association between certain traits of patients with personality disorders (including aggression, hostility, impulsivity, disregard for law, and various psychological symptoms) and increased crash risk. These results underscore the necessity of more research in the area of psychiatric disorders and driver safety
Driver Opinions of Simulator-Based Commercial Driver Training
No full textSimulator-based training provides the opportunity to train drivers in a potentially lower cost and safer environment than traditional, behind-the-wheel, training methods. Thus, many motor carriers have begun adopting simulators for use during in-house driver training. This report presents the result of focus groups with drivers who experienced truck simulator-based training at two large motor carriers. In general, drivers at both carriers had positive opinions of simulatorbased training. Most suggestions to improve the program were directed towards modification of how the program was implemented and/or creating a more realistic simulation of the driving environment
Road Deaths and the Next U.S. Presidential Election
No full textThe US presidential electoral process is remarkable for widespread spending, attention, conflict, and rhetoric. Whether the process has an immediate effect on public health has never been tested. Moreover, such a possibility rarely receives consideration when evaluating voter turnout statistics ranging around 50-60% of eligible Americans. We studied all US presidential elections for the last 32 years, beginning with Carter in 1976 and ending with Obama in 2008. For each election, we analyzed the national registry of fatal crashes in the US, along with the Tuesday immediately before and after to calculate expected numbers of individuals in fatal crashes for the nation at the time. Our main finding was that the average election leads to a 19% increase in the risk of a fatal crash during the hours of polling. This equaled about 24 people per election; was remarkably consistent across different ages and locations; and greatly exceeded the risk on New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, or the chance of casting a pivotal vote. We conclude that efforts to mobilize the population, along with America's reliance on motor vehicles, results in increased fatal crashes during US presidential elections. We suggest more safety advocacy by electioneers who encourage people to vote. Perhaps the US president, when elected in the aftermath of fatal crashes, might also give more thought to the 100 lives lost each day from crashes in the United States