Evaluation of an Updated Version of the Risk Awareness and Perception Training Program for Young Drivers

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15259052017PDFTech ReportThomas, F. DennisKorbelak, Kristopher T.Divekar, GautamBlomberg, Richard D.Romoser, Matthew R. E.Fisher, Donald L.Dunlap and Associates, Inc.United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Behavioral Safety ResearchUnited States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited StatesAlertnessBefore and after studiesDriver educationEye movementsTeenage driversComputer based trainingEyetrackerhazard anticipationnovice driverson-road datahazard anticipation trainingteen driverRAPT eye-trackerrisk awareness on-road studyDOT HS 812 379Report No. 258-1DTNH22-09-D-00138 (Task Order 0005)Final reportPrevious research suggests newly licensed teen drivers often fail to anticipate where unexpected hazards might materialize. One training program designed to address these apparent deficiencies in knowledge and skills that has shown promise in previous tests is the Risk Awareness and Perception Training (RAPT) program. This project updated RAPT using high definition video and computer simulations to create a more interactive and realistic program. Researchers evaluated the modified program\u2019s impact on the behaviors of novice and experienced drivers through the use of a computer-based test and during on-road drives in live traffic on a pre-defined route. Both the novice and experienced driver RAPT-trained groups showed substantial improvement in performance from pre- to post-test with the RAPT trainees hitting almost all of the targets during the computer post-test. The performance differences extended to the eye-tracker data arising from the on-road drives. The RAPT-trained groups hit significantly higher numbers of total primary targets and percentages of targets compared to the control groups. The study also employed a \u201cThink Aloud,\u201d or commentary driving, data collection effort. This data collection approach did not reveal any performance differences among the training groups. This study also included a persistence measure using the computer assessment one month after training. Results showed the RAPT-trained groups\u2019 target hit rates decreased from the initial post-test to the persistence measure but remained above their baseline hit rates and above the control groups\u2019 persistence measure hit rates. Taken together, the results suggest the RAPT revision represented a significant improvement over the previous versions in terms of realism with a similar impact on driver behaviors as measured by a computer assessment and through the use of eye-tracking in a live traffic environment.129