Multi-Modal Vehicle Display Design and Analysis [Driver Performance Evaluation]

US Transportation Collection2004PDFResearch PaperCohen, J.Kirschenbaum, SusanSodhi, ManbirUniversity of Rhode Island. Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing EngineeringUniversity of Rhode Island. Transportation CenterUnited StatesVehicle designMultimodal transportationEye movementsDriver SafetyDriver DistractionEye MovementURITC FY01-11URI 536161FinalThere is increasing interest in systematically studying the risks encountered while driving. In some cases, the focus is on potential risks such as those associated with the use of in-car devices (e.g., mobile phones, radio, navigational displays) or the effect of substances such as alcoholic beverages or medications. In such studies, the objective is in determining whether there is a decrement in driving performance that could lead to an increase in the probability of an accident, i.e. turns a safe driver into an unsafe driver. Another type of study involves the evaluation of the potential benefits/risks associated with the use of corrective/assistive devices (e.g. hand controls, vision enhancement devices) that might enable individuals with disabilities to drive. Here, the primary interest often is in determining the device in question produces an increment in driving performance that could lead to a decrease in the probability of an accident, i.e., turns an unsafe driver into a safe driver. In both of the above cases, it is ultimately important to address the issue(s) through on-road testing. However, because of the different aims of the two types of studies, care must be taken to ensure that the design of the test route(s) and driving tasks are deliberately biased to maximize the likelihood of answering the critical questions. This report, submitted in conclusion of Grant 536161 of the University of Rhode Island Transportation Center, first discusses issues arising in the design of on-road studies. Two examples are given to illustrate the different approaches used in route and testing protocol design. The first example considers the special design elements to evaluate the impact of in-vehicle mobile phone use by normally-sighted drivers on overall driving performance. The second example considers the special design elements of a road test course to evaluate the effectiveness of vision devices as driving aids for visually-impaired people. The second part of the report presents details of an on-road study of driver performance using eye-tracking data.96