1,721,674 research outputs found
Test-retest reliability of simulated driving performance: A pilot study
No full textTwenty-seven volunteers completed three simulated driving tests to determine test-retest reliability of performance on a low-cost, fixed-base computerized driving simulator. One retest was completed a few hours after the initial drive, and the final retest was completed 7 days following the initial test drive. Driving performance was compared using measures of vehicle control, speed, and reaction time to critical events. A measure of participants' ability to inhibit a pre-potent response was also assessed using an inhibition task during each drive, with the number of incorrect inhibition responses recorded. Practice effects were evident for measures of vehicle control (deviation of lane position and number of line crossings) and participants' ability to withhold responses to inhibition tasks. Good test-retest reliability was observed for measures of vehicle control, speed, reaction time, and variability measures. Poor test-retest reliability was observed for the number of stopping failures observed during driving. The findings from this study suggest that the driving scenario used provides reliable assessment tasks that could be used to track the effects of pharmacological treatments on driving performance. However, an additional familiarization drive should be included as part of future study protocols employing this driving scenario to reduce learning effects during trials. Care should also be taken when interpreting results from tasks with low test-retest reliability.Griffith Health, School of Public HealthFull Tex
Test-Retest Reliability of Simulated Driving Performance: A Pilot Study
Full text linkTwenty-seven volunteers completed three simulated driving tests to determine test-retest reliability of performance on a low-cost, fixed-base computerized driving simulator. One retest was completed a few hours after the initial drive, and the final retest was completed 7 days following the initial test drive. Driving performance was compared using measures of vehicle control, speed, and reaction time to critical events. A measure of participants’ ability to inhibit a pre-potent response was also assessed using an inhibition task during each drive, with the number of incorrect inhibition responses recorded. Practice effects were evident for measures of vehicle control (deviation of lane position and number of line crossings) and participants’ ability to withhold responses to inhibition tasks. Good test-retest reliability was observed for measures of vehicle control, speed, reaction time, and variability measures. Poor test-retest reliability was observed for the number of stopping failures observed during driving. The findings from this study suggest that the driving scenario used provides reliable assessment tasks that could be used to track the effects of pharmacological treatments on driving performance. However, an additional familiarization drive should be included as part of future study protocols employing this driving scenario to reduce learning effects during trials. Care should also be taken when interpreting results from tasks with low test-retest reliabilit
Comparison of the Minisim and Stisim Driving Simulators for the Detection of Impairment: An Alcohol Validation Study
Full text linkDetection of alcohol impairment is often used to evaluate the sensitivity of a protocol to detect the effects of other types of impairment. This study was designed to compare the sensitivity of two simulator platforms with different underlying architectures using equivalent driving scenarios. The driving scenario consisted of a twenty minute drive on a relatively straight rural roadway with a divided attention task presented infrequently during the drive. A total of 18 subjects completed drives on both simulators at two levels of BAC. It was hypothesized that both simulator platforms would be sensitive to the effects of alcohol. On driving variables and on divided attention variables the MiniSim simulator showed greater sensitivity to the impairing effects of alcohol (at doses below 0.10% BAC) than was found with the STI simulator. The SDLP variable (lane position deviation) was sensitive to alcohol effects with both simulators. However, there was clearly greater sensitivity seen with the MiniSim simulator. For a number of driving and divided attention variables significant results were obtained with the MiniSim, whereas results for the STISIM failed to show a significant alcohol effect. The greater sensitivity of the MiniSim compared to the STISIM is potentially due to a number of differences between the two simulators, though the difference in the vehicle dynamics model would be expected to be the largest determining factor
How Well Do Drivers Understand Their Own Headlights?
Full text linkThe current research represents an initial investigation of drivers’ understanding of high beam and low beam headlight patterns in a nighttime driving environment. Fifty-four university students used a highlighter to indicate on a paper diagram of a roadway scene the portion of the scene that they felt their headlights would illuminate. Although the headlight patterns produced by participants varied more than expected, several consistent patterns emerged. Classification and evaluation of these drivers’ responses revealed that many drivers misunderstand the area of the roadway that is illuminated by their headlights. These misunderstandings fall into fairly distinct patterns. The results indicate many drivers possess an incomplete understanding of the pattern of illumination provided by their headlights. These results are consistent with earlier evidence that many road users fail to appreciate the visibility challenges that exist at night
A Competence Based Exam for Prospective Driving Instructors: Construction, Validation, and Implications
No full textIn line with changed views on driver training and driver instructor preparation a competence-based instructor exam was introduced in the Netherlands. The exam consists of two parts: 1) multimedia theory tests, 2) a performance assessment. An implicit idea behind the innovated exam is that it can have a positive backwash effect on the quality of driver instructor preparation programs. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and fairness of the theoretical tests, which appear in different versions across time. Data of 4741 prospective driving instructors, enrolled during the period between January 1010 and October 2012, were used for analysis. The results of IRT-analyses show that the theory tests yielded reliable and fair decisions, although misclassifications occurred across versions. The predictive validity of the theory tests for the final performance assessment was low. Implications for the design and maintenance of exam programs are discussed. Follow-up studies will focus on the question, whether the improved instructor exam contribute to safer drivers in the end
Cell Phone-Induced Perceptual Impairments During Simulated Driving
Full text linkOur research assessed the effects of cellular phone conversations on driving performance. When subjects were deeply involved in cellular phone conversations using either a hand-held or hands-free device, they were more than twice as likely to miss simulated traffic signals presented at the center of fixation than when they were not distracted by the cell phone conversation. By contrast, performance was not disrupted by listening to radio broadcasts or listening to a book on tape. One might argue that when subjects were conversing on a cell phone that they detected the simulated traffic signals, but that the responses to them were suppressed. To assess this, we examined the implicit perceptual memory for items that were presented at fixation but called for no response. Implicit perceptual memory was strong when subjects were not engaged in a cellphone conversation but impaired when they were so engaged. We suggest that active participation in a cell phone conversation disrupts performance by diverting attention to an engaging cognitive context other than the one immediately associated with driving
Object Detection and Identification Using Enhanced Camera/Video Imaging Systems (E-C/VISs) on Heavy Trucks
Full text linkTests were performed to determine the feasibility of developing an Enhanced Camera/Video Imaging System (E-C/VIS) to provide heavy vehicle drivers with better situation awareness to the sides and rear of their vehicles. It is well known that large blind spots currently exist in these areas and that sideswipe crashes can occur as a result. An additional goal was to extend the operating envelope of conventional video to nighttime and to inclement weather. A three channel system was envisioned in which there would be a camera at each (front) fender of the tractor looking backward along the sides of the tractor trailer. The third channel would be aimed rearward from the back of the trailer. Indoor tests involved selection of components having the best capabilities, while early outdoor tests used the selected components in a single-channel side mounted system. Once developed, the heavy vehicle three-channel system was tested in a static object detection and identification experiment, as well as a dynamic on-road experiment. The current document describes the static object detection and identification experiment methodology and results. In regard to object detection and identification, objects were correctly detected and identified significantly more often with the E-C/VIS than with mirrors alone. Objects directly behind the heavy vehicle could be detected with the rear wide-angle look-down camera of the EC/VIS whereas such objects could not be detected with conventional side mirrors
Using Iterative Human Factors Methods to Assess Active Traffic Management Signing
Full text linkActive traffic management (ATM) is a technique for mitigation of recurrent and non-recurrent congestion. Two ATM tools were evaluated: variable speed limits and lane control signing. An iterative human factors approach included a series of four experiments: a laboratory assessment, a field study, and two dynamic driving simulations. This paper presents the evaluation of signing for one scenario, from among several, to provide an example of the evaluation methodology. That scenario involved closing two lanes on a multi-lane freeway where the exit ramp adjacent to the closed lanes remained open. Results were consistent across experimental settings. The majority of drivers appeared to correctly comprehend the ATM signs in both static and dynamic environments. The combined results from the four experiments showed that the tested ATM signing could achieve about 66 percent driver comprehension and compliance in the presented scenario
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