Factors influencing visual search in complex driving environments.

PDFTech ReportFHWA-GA-16-1227DriversAutomobile driversAutomobile drivingDriving specific motor vehiclesDriving simulatorsVisual perceptionGeorgiaUnited StatesGeorgia. Dept. of TransportationHunter, Michael P.Rodgers, Michael O.Corso, Gregory M.Shaw, Faaiqa AtiyyaBae, JongInGreenwood, Aaron T.Georgia Institute of Technology. School of Civil and Environmental EngineeringMorehead State University. Department of PsychologyGeorgia. Dept. of TransportationUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThe objective of this study was to describe and model the effects of varied roadway environment factors on drivers\ue2\u20ac\u2122 perceived complexity, with the goal of further understanding conditions for optimal driver behavior and performance. This was investigated by obtaining self-reported ratings of complexity from several participant populations across an array of static and dynamic roadway environments. Descriptive and predictive models of perceived complexity were developed for varied driver demographic groups and roadway environment types. Environmental conditions, urban arterial environments, and the presence of roadside restrictions were seen to significantly increase perceived complexity of static roadway environments; and drivers with fewer than 12 months following licensure tended to rate environments as less complex than drivers with more experience. Results from the dynamic roadway environments experiment indicated that traffic had the greatest effect on perceived complexity; and work zones with lower path guidance (drums) interacted with lane configuration and roadside objects to have increased effects on perceived complexity. Understanding the effects of roadway factors on drivers\ue2\u20ac\u2122 perceived complexity could inform enhanced roadway design and guidance for all transportation system users, guide road safety audits, and provide a foundation for factors that should be examined in future research studies