Analysis of Visual Fixation Areas and Visual Transition Characteristics During the Driving Process

Traditional analysis methods used for measuring a driver's visual fixation areas are low in accuracy, so to overcome this problem the authors used dynamic clustering theory in this paper to observe visual fixation areas and to assess the visual field of a driver throughout the driving process. From this a driver's visual transition characteristics was examined using the Markov chain theory. This information was then used to compare the visual habits of experienced and novice drivers. The cluster results were divided into 6 areas: left side mirror area, left part of the main visual field, middle part of the main visual field, right part of the main visual field, right side mirror area and dashboard area. Using this method, eye movement data from 15 drivers with different driving experience were analyzed. Then with the application of Markov chain theory, transition probabilities from one area to another and Markov stationary distribution of fixation points in each area were calculated. From this the authors found the transition characteristics in relation to the driver’s visual line. The results show that, drivers need to look at the same object long enough to extract sufficient information. All drivers paid great attention (more than 70% of the time) to frontal objects. After using the right side mirror, experienced drivers tended to transit their fixation points to the left, but novice drivers were more likely to focus on the front area. Experienced drivers paid more attention to the left and right side mirrors and dashboard than novice drivers.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/conferences/2011/RSS/1/Yuan,W.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Yuan, Wei
  • Fu, Rui
  • Guo, Yingshi
  • Xue, Caijun
  • Wu, Fuwei
• Conference:
  • 3rd International Conference on Road Safety and Simulation
  • Location: Indianapolis Indiana, United States
  • Date: 2011-9-14 to 2011-9-16
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 13p
• Monograph Title: 3rd International Conference on Road Safety and Simulation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Driver experience; Driving; Eye fixations; Eye movements; Markov chains
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01501974
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 23 2013 7:53AM