Measuring Cognitive Distraction in the Automobile

Three experiments were undertaken to measure and understand cognitive distraction while driving. The experiments involved participants performing different mental tasks including: listening to the radio or a book on tape; conversing with a passenger; using a hand-held or hands-free cell phone; using a speech-to-text based email system; or using an auditory version of the Operation Span (OSPAN) task. In the first (control) experiment, participants performed tasks while seated at a computer monitor to establish the cognitive workload of each task. The second experiment involved a driving simulator with a lead vehicle. Brake reaction time and following distance were measured during the performance of the tasks. In the third experiment, participants drove an instrumented vehicle in a residential area while performing the tasks. High definition cameras were used to record eye movement data at critical locations, such as, pedestrian crosswalks, two- and four-way stops, and stoplights. Data was used to create a rating system for cognitive distraction with listening to the radio at 1.21 and using a speech-to-text system at 3.06. The data suggests that the introduction of voice-based systems may increase driver distraction.

• Record URL:
  https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MeasuringCognitiveDistractionsReport.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Measuring-Cog-Dist-in-the-Automobile-FS.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

  607 14th Street, NW, Suite 201
  Washington, DC    20005
• Authors:
  • Strayer, David L
  • Cooper, Joel M
  • Turrill, Jonna
  • Coleman, James
  • Medeiros-Ward, Nate
  • Biondi, Francesco
• Publication Date: 2013-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 53p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile drivers; Cellular telephones; Distraction; Driver performance; Driving simulators; Measurement; Reaction time; Traffic safety; Voice communication
• Uncontrolled Terms: Voice to text
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01483811
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 13 2013 4:59PM