PERIPHERAL DETECTION AS A MEASURE OF DRIVER DISTRACTION. A STUDY OF MEMORY-BASED VERSUS SYSTEM-BASED NAVIGATION IN A BUILT-UP AREA

This study investigates the suitability of using a secondary-task method called the peripheral detection task (PDT)-method as a standard procedure for testing and evaluating the safety of in-vehicle information systems (IVIS). Taking into account behavioral variables, the study analyzed the effect of navigation messages on PDT-performance (reaction time and hit rate). Professional drivers with extensive prior local knowledge and driving experience in the study area were used as subjects. The drivers drove two different routes, one after memory and the other with guidance from a standard navigation system installed in the car. In the navigation system condition, subjects were subdivided into three groups: one group received verbal navigation messages, one group received visual messages and one group received both visual and verbal (full messages). Findings showed that driving speed and other aspects of driving behavior were not significantly affected by navigation condition (i.e, with or without navigation system) and message modality. However, PDT-performance showed sensitivity to navigation condition on subjects' reaction times and hit rates. Pairwise comparison of message modality within each three groups showed a prolongation of reaction time and a marginally significant decrease in hit rate with full navigation messages. Visual navigation messages affected only hit rate and no significant differences between navigation conditions were observed for the group presented with verbal messages. These results suggest that the PDT-method is biased toward visual sources of information from IVIS, making it inappropriate as an unbiased measurement of distraction. However, it is suitable as a predominant method in a test battery.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier

  The Boulevard, Langford Lane
  Kidlington, Oxford  United Kingdom  OX5 1GB
• Authors:
  • HARMS, L
  • Patten, C
• Publication Date: 2003-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 23-36
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1369-8478
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Auditory perception; Automobile driving; Automobile navigation systems; Behavior; Distraction; Drivers; Human factors; Human subject testing; Memory; Peripheral vision; Reaction time; Route guidance; Test procedures; Traffic safety; Visual perception
• Uncontrolled Terms: Peripheral detection task method; Secondary task method
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00960808
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 25 2003 12:00AM