EFFECTS OF VISUAL DISTRACTION ON REACTION TIME IN A SIMULATED TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT

Existing studies of the relationship between visual distractors and traffic accidents are both limited and contradictory. The present study investigates the effect of: (a) number of distractors, (b) color of distractors, and (c) location of distractors, on the perception of a target stimulus. Reaction time was the response measure. Analysis of variance showed that all three dimensions have a significant effect on reaction time, with location having the greatest effect. Conclusions are that: (1) legal limits be placed on distractors, and (2) engineering decisions be oriented toward counteracting the potential negative effects of the background distractors. /Author/

  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Texas, Austin

    Council for Advanced Transportation Studies
    Austin, TX  United States  78712
  • Authors:
    • Holahan, C J
  • Publication Date: 1977-3

Media Info

  • Features: References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00173253
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: Res. Rpt. 47
  • Contract Numbers: (77) 7200-02-B
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Apr 12 1978 12:00AM