DRIVER PERFORMANCE TESTS: THEIR ROLE AND POTENTIAL

This project examined the role of state road tests, emphasizing their usefulness as screening devices, diagnostic tools, and eductional instruments, and identified the short and long term research needs in this area. First, literature on performance tests was reviewed. Second, performance testing in other modes of transportation was reviewed. Third, an interim report was prepared. Fourth, a conference was held to consider the present and potential roles of state roads tests and to identify research needs. Conference participants represented expertise in operations, the law, driver license research, and human performance research. Fifth, a final report was prepared, summarizing the current state of the art and identifying short and long term research needs in driver performance testing. The road test is currently used primarily as a criterion to guarantee that beginning drivers have achieved a minimal level of skill. The role of the test for diagnostic and educational purposes is less clear. Short term research should focus first on compiling a road test based on the best elements of those carefully developed performance tests available. Other short term research should examine route selection, tests for operators of motorcycles and heavy trucks, use of the test as a motivator, and the demography of existing state road tests. Long term research should first identify those human performance parameters that differentiate between novice and experienced drivers. This information will provide the basis for a meaningful licensing program that should be coordinated with driver training and highway engineering and vehicle design. Implications of this long term research for licensing, diagnosis and education are discussed. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

  Highway Safety Research Center
  Chapel Hill, NC  United States  27599
• Authors:
  • Waller, P F
  • Li, L K
  • Hall, R G
  • Stutts, J C
• Publication Date: 1978-3

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References;
• Pagination: 141 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Demographics; Driver performance; Drivers; Licenses; Personnel performance; Research; Road tests; Transportation; Transportation operations; Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Transportation administration; Transportation research
• Subject Areas: Research; Safety and Human Factors; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00178405
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-HS-7-01698 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM