Allocation of visual attention while driving with simulated augmented reality

Augmented reality (AR) technologies aim to optimize the visual attention of the driver by increasing the salience of high value elements. In such systems, ‘value’ is typically seen as linked to the general activity of driving, but not manoeuvres. However, several studies have shown that during activity, eye movements are specific to the immediate goal. In the authors' experiment, 48 participants watched videos of automobile driving situations, during which they had to make decisions. In these videos, some situational cues were graphically highlighted. Depending on the experimental group, highlighted cues related to either the general driving task (e.g. road signs, pedestrians) or to a specific manoeuvre (e.g. look for overtaking cars before changing the lane). The results show that AR impacts the allocation of visual attention more strongly during the decision-making phase. In all AR conditions, the ability to extract information is less efficient. In particular, highlighting (by AR) general cues does not affect the detection of cues related to a manoeuvre, but it does change the allocation of visual attention: fixations are more numerous and less task-specific.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2015.04.011
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847815000741
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Eyraud, Robin
  • Zibetti, Elisabetta
  • Baccino, Thierry
• Publication Date: 2015-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 46-55
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1369-8478
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attention; Automobile driving; Driver performance; Eye fixations; Human information processing; Simulation; Visual perception
• Uncontrolled Terms: Augmented reality
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01567496
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 2015 1:42PM