Auditory Alert Characteristics Impact on Crash Avoidance Warning Response

2018Final ReportMarshall, D., Boyle, L. N., Wu, & Brown, T. (2018, December). Auditory alert characteristics impact on crash avoidance warning response (Report No. DOT HS 812 511). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.PDFTech ReportDOT HS 812 511Crash avoidance systemsTraffic safetyV2V safety applicationscrash warning interfaceauditoryalerturgencyUnited StatesUnited States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationMarshall, DawnBoyle, Linda NgWu, XingweiBrown, Timothy L.University of Iowa. National Advanced Driving SimulatorUnited States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationThe goal of this study was to understand driver response to a range of auditory characteristic levels, specifically to identify characteristics of a crash warning auditory interface that are measurable and have the potential to provide safety benefits. Drivers were exposed to driving scenarios with potential crash threats in a medium-fidelity driving simulator at five data collection sites, National Advanced Driving Simulator at the University of Iowa, University of Washington, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Clemson University (Phase 1 FCW only), and Leidos. Three crash scenarios were used: rear-end crash with forward collision warning, junction-crossing crashes with intersection movement assist, and opposite-direction crashes with left turn across path. Auditory characteristics examined were fundamental frequency, duty cycle, and tempo, each at five levels. Results show statistically significant differences between warning characteristics. A fundamental frequency around 234 Hz produced faster response compared to fundamental frequencies over 319 Hz or near 115 Hz. Extremely low duty cycles produced longer reaction times than higher duty cycles. Fundamental frequencies over 319 Hz or near 115 Hz. Extremely low duty cycles produced longer reaction times than higher duty cycles. Slower reaction times were seen for the tempo of 1 pulse per second.78